Propositions LL and MM cruise to victory
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
With food assistance under threat nationwide, Colorado voters made a statement in Tuesday's election by passing Propositions LL and MM to provide universal free school meals to students.
Why it matters: The successful ballot issues keep the Healthy School Meals for All program funded amid a state budget crunch by increasing taxes on higher earners.
Driving the news: Both measures easily cleared the 50% mark, according to preliminary election results.
- Proposition LL to retain $12.4 million in excess tax revenue led the way with 65% support.
- Proposition MM, which increases taxes for households earning more than $300,000 a year to fund the meals program, landed at 58%.
What they're saying: "Propositions LL and MM will keep kids fed in school, leading to better grades, higher graduation rates, and better outcomes for Colorado students," said Joe Kabourek, campaign manager for the Keep Kids Fed campaign, which declared victory just after 8pm.
The big picture: Colorado voters approved the program in 2022 with the passage of Proposition FF, but its popularity and the increase in food prices led to a cash shortfall that threatened to downsize the program.
- Proposition MM is expected to raise $95 million to shore up the meals program.
The intrigue: A portion of the new tax revenue will go toward the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) after President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act put additional costs on states.