MultCo parents to Gov. Kotek: ‘Hands off’ Preschool for All

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County parents rallied in Southeast Portland on Wednesday to save their children’s’ preschools.

They are worried they could close if state lawmakers make good on a threat to stop the county funding for free Preschool for All.

Money comes from a tax on high-income earners in Multnomah County.

Parents are concerned about an amendment to Senate Bill 106 that would ban the county from collecting the income tax from high earners, which would end the program by 2027. 

“My daughter is now in a preschool she loves. She lives in a community she loves, and we are not grappling with the choice of paying a tremendous amount of money, or pursuing our careers, or paying rent. So I would like to say, hands off to Governor Tina Kotek. Please preserve preschool for all our communities and our youth,” said parent Courtney Dawson at the rally.

The governor has concerns about the tax paying for free preschool, saying it is driving high-income earners out of Portland.

At a legislative meeting on Tuesday, Multnomah County Board Chair Jessica Vega Pederson urged legislators not to cut off the county’s funding source.

On Wednesday, KOIN 6 reached out to the head of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee about the attempt to stop the funding.

Senator Mark Meek’s chief of staff told us in a statement,  “I can confirm the bill is not moving forward this session. The senator looks forward to continuing these conversations during the interim.”

Governor Kotek’s office said it has received hundreds of emails on this issue.