King County voters are approving a property tax increase on Tuesday’s ballot to support the Best Start for Kids levy.
A total of 52.5 percent (124,973) voted in favor of the proposition while 47.4 (112,747) were against it, according to King County Elections results on Tuesday.
King County Executive Dow Constantine, one of the backers of the levy, came away pleased with the results.
“The early returns on Best Starts for Kids are very encouraging,” Constantine said in a media release. “I’m pleased that so many people got the message that we can start putting more children and youth in our region on a positive trajectory in life.
“I’m proud that we created an alliance of business leaders, service providers, and elected officials, all committed to ensuring that every child in King County is able to achieve his or her full potential.”
The purpose of the levy, known as Proposition No. 1, is to raise $65 million per year for six years to improve the physical, social and environmental factors that influence children from birth (including services for pregnant mothers) up to the age of 24. The cost of the levy is 14 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation or about $42 per year for the owner of a $300,000 house, according to county reports.
Fifty percent of the revenue would go toward early childhood development programs for children up to age 5. About 35 percent would go toward programs that assist kids and adults ages 6 through 24, 10 percent would go to community programs aimed at improving health, social and economic outcomes, and 5 percent would be used for “evaluation, data collection and program improvement,” according to a media release from King County Executive Dow Constantine.
The Kent City Council unanimously approved a resolution last month in support of the levy.
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