Advocates in Baltimore are renewing efforts to support infants born into poverty by proposing a new initiative called the “Baltimore Baby Fund.”

“The goal is that every family can afford the basic resources to support their newborn,” said Nate Golden, who leads the Maryland Child Alliance.

Three years ago, the group proposed a “baby bonus” of $1,000 for every newborn, but the state Supreme Court deemed it unconstitutional and removed it from the ballot. The new proposal does not mandate specific payments to parents but aims to enhance the economic stability of families with newborns in Baltimore City.

Political analyst John Dedie expressed skepticism about the timing.

“We’re in a storm right now where people don’t want government money spent on anything whatsoever. DOGE is the rage and people may interpret the way city programs are run as being wasteful and that could be a problem,” Dedie said.

Organizers are now working to collect 10,000 voter signatures to get the proposal on next year’s November ballot.

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