Proposition FF – Free Meals for All Public School Students

When COVID appeared on the scene, the federal government started providing free school meals to all students (though most schools suddenly closed). This program continued for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. Prop FF would continue this program but would fund it in part by a new tax on households with incomes of $300,000 or above.

Prop FF aims to include more Colorado-sourced and healthier food in school meals and to increase wages for employees who prepare and serve school meals. Presumably, school staff, visiting parents and other non-students would still be expected to pay for school meals, meaning the administrative structure for meal payments would remain.

Recommendation: TAX

Having the same food available to all students regardless of income level will allow parents to rest easy. No need to worry that your child will go hungry if they forgot their sack lunch at home or if their meal account has run out of money. No need to worry that your child will feel singled out for getting their free-or-reduced-cost meal.

This is a dedicated tax, and some opponents argue that the money should be spent on direct education needs instead of feeding students, about 60% of whom can afford the cost of school meals. Students experiencing food insecurity should already be getting free meals.

Website for the Yes side – Healthy School Meals for All Colorado Students
https://www.yesonff.org/

Website for the No side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.


Approved Ballot Language
Proposition FF (Statutory)

Shall state taxes be increased $100,727,820 annually by a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes that, to support healthy meals for public school students, increases state taxable income only for individuals who have federal taxable income of $300,000 or more by limiting itemized or standard state income tax deductions to $12,000 for single tax return filers and $16,000 for joint tax return filers, and, in connection therewith, creating the healthy school meals for all program to provide free school meals to students in public schools; providing grants for participating schools to purchase Colorado grown, raised, or processed products, to increase wages or provide stipends for employees who prepare and serve school meals, and to create parent and student advisory committees to provide advice to ensure school meals are healthy and appealing to all students; and creating a program to assist in promoting Colorado food products and preparing school meals using basic nutritious ingredients with minimal reliance on processed products?

YES/FOR ____
NO/AGAINST ____

HB22-1414 to refer Proposition FF to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/2022a_1414_signed.pdf