How do I get a high paying job so I can pay the preschool for all tax? Please, I want to not be poor so I can pay exciting taxes

This is me and I went back to work sooner than I expected and we do in fact pay this tax now.

Multnomah Parent Find Preschool for All Programs

The countdown begins! The window to apply to Preschool for All closes in TEN DAYS! Have you applied yet? 👀

Dark blue text on a playful yellow and red background, with a picture of a family at a preschool graduation. WE CAN HAVE A THRIVING COUNTY WHERE EVERYONE HAS WHAT THEY NEED BUT NOT IF WE PRIORITIZE TAX CUTS FOR THE ULTRA-WEALTHY OVER EVERYTHING ELSE

The Friends of Preschool for All coalition agree with many of the findings from the PFA Technical Advisory Group's (TAG) report on what the program needs to be successful, but we draw a different conclusion. We appreciate the recommendation for a dedicated reserve in the form of a rainy day fund, to ensure the program stays solvent in the case of an economic downturn. As well as the call for better cost estimates, and the acknowledgement that the current "cost per seat" figure underestimates how much it actually costs a provider to educate each child. When you factor in all expenses, including wages for staff, facilities, supplies, training, and more, small miscounts can add up to massive underbudgeting, so we are heartened to know that the county has commissioned a true cost model that will provide an accurate figure by sometime in the fall.

But as hundreds of families made clear in their testimony to the board of commissioners, we want to arrive at full universality as soon as possible. Delaying the voter-approved tax bump yet again does not speed up the rollout, nor does it build certainty or a strong foundation for this program that is still in its first years of operation.

Once we have a fully universal program with seats for everyone who wants one, new options may emerge. At that point, any decisions that need to be made regarding how to spend any surplus of the tax the voters have already approved could be put back to the voters again. Maybe they would agree to put those dollars back in the pockets of the wealthiest in our community, or maybe they would like to follow the lead of NYC and expand the program to 2 year olds, or put budget towards more direct community outreach, making sure everyone knows that free, high-quality preschool is available and helping them register. We stand united for a growing Multnomah County where every family and every childcare worker can afford to thrive. Friends of Preschool for ALL Coalition friendsofpfa.org

✨WE CAN HAVE A THRIVING COUNTY WHERE EVERYONE HAS WHAT THEY NEED

🚨BUT NOT IF WE PRIORITIZE TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY

"One TAG member, Mary King, an emerita professor of economics at Portland State University, went as far to vote against the group’s recommendations (...)

“We can’t afford to delay and I think it’s irresponsible to delay given the promise to the voters, families, and small business providers""

Why the Rich Should Get Free Public Childcare Too Critics see Zohran Mamdani’s inclusion of the wealthy in his new free public childcare initiative as a flaw. It’s actually an integral part of the policy’s design, rooted in the fact that universal pr...

Meagan Day: Why the Rich Should Get Free Public Childcare Too

@friendsofpfa.bsky.social

Multnomah Co. pushes back on claims preschool tax drove out wealthy residents - Portland Business Journal A Reed College economist found out-migration grew substantially among high earners in the first two years. Multnomah County says that trend has reversed.

The most recent and relevant data is clear: “Between the third and fourth years of the tax, we see consistent growth, even at the high level.”

MultCo economist Jeff Renfro:
"I’ll just say, I have access to all of the Preschool for All tax returns. (...) I don’t see a ton of evidence that there is an exodus of high-income people in our preschool for all tax returns." (from www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NO4...)

News article headline from “The Colombian” : Smaller percentage of women working in Clark County than in Multnomah County. Official cites Multnomah County’s free preschool program as factor.”

CEO of Workforce SW on Preschool for All:

“We can learn from them in a lot of ways and see how it goes,” Halliday said. “I would imagine it will continue to increase women’s participation in the labor force.”

Preschool for All ballot measure, text reads “establishes a tuition-free preschool program.”

Andrew Hoan with Orwellian doublespeak. He said to the Business Journal that PFA “promised to help all families access affordable preschool.”

The promise, directly from the measure 2/3 of voters approved: “Establishes a tuition free preschool program.”

He is not a credible source just propaganda.

Home - Friends of Preschool For All It took all of us to win Preschool for All. Now it will take all of us to bring it across the finish line, so we can give every 3 and 4 year old in Multnomah County a strong start. Next school year, s...

But we won’t let them take what’s ours - sign the petition today, sign up for emails at friendsofPFA.org, and join Portland DSA!

Petition here:
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fu...

White text on a red background reads: “The PMC takes another step closer to killing Preschool for All, just like they’re coming for PCEF. They want to keep money at the top, and for working families to stay poor or move out of the county because they can’t afford to live here anymore.” Below the text is a collage of Andrew Hoan with red laser eyes that are burning a Preschool For All yard sign. He is holding lots of money.

A clipping of a headline from KGW which reads “Preschool for All should be set for funding over the next few years, report tells Multnomah County leaders” is overlaid with a big red NOPE! Underneath in white text on a red background: “A report that came out this week says PFA will be fine without the voter-approved 0.8% funding increase. This ignores the thousands of kids who still can’t get a spot. Most of the people who wrote this report are in the PMC network, with no expertise in early childhood education or economics. So when they say “fine” they mean…”

On a red background, Mr Moneybags says “Preschool for All will be fine!” surrounded by thought bubbles that read “...…unless there’s a recession” “...if there will be way fewer kids” “...…if we lowball what it actually costs to educate a kid while paying staff a living wage” Below this is white text that reads “Austerity is never fine. Tax the rich.”

White text on a red background reads: “What they’re really scared of is working people looking to Zohran’s New York, and seeing that instead of refunding the rich, we could roll out the program to include all 3- and 4-year-olds and then move down to include 2-year-olds, too. But we won’t let them take what’s ours - sign the petition today, sign up for emails at friendsofPFA.org, and join Portland DSA!”

The PMC takes another step closer to killing Preschool for All, just like they’re coming for PCEF.

They want to keep money at the top, and for working families to stay poor or move out of the county because they can’t afford to live here anymore.

This is also the benefit of Preschool for All over other state and federal programs. 10 hour days meet the true needs of working families.

Just stopped by the Multnomah Building and picked up a PFA sign!! So cool to see the county gov giving these out. It is crucial we are vocal about our support for this amazing program!

PFA Signs Available for All Want a Preschool For All sign? Ask the front desk at the Multnomah Building! Lawn stakes available. Address: 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd

Anyone who wants a #PFA sign can pick one up at the Multnomah Building front desk, 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday.

If you want a sign up but cannot pick one up, email me at district1@multco.us.

PFA applications are open the entire month of April. Apply at pfa.multco.us. Link in bio.

#MultCoD1

✨Be like Cody and volunteer with us! We meet virtually every other Tuesday night, and have tons of different tasks to help with. Email us at friendsofpfa@gmail.com to get involved!

Black text on playful green backgrounds: “A few years ago, before Preschool For All was passed, I lived with my wife and child (age 3) in a multi-generational home, and most of us in the house still had to work 2 jobs. Making sure my child was fed, entertained, taught necessary skills and was properly socialized put far too much of a burden on myself and my family, this would have been relieved if we had had the money for preschool. In addition to providing child care to families and supporting our child care workforce, I support this program because I know that when I was raising my child, having a publicly funded preschool (now often more expensive than rent) would have taken significant stress off of my family and myself, which can only make our community stronger.” - Cody P, Portland parent

💛 Nobody knows better the true toll of not having the support you need for your family than parents who have been in this situation. For Cody, the experience helped galvanize his support for Preschool For All:

Fully Fund Preschool for All When families are strong, Multnomah County is strong!

I just signed a @theactionnetwork.bsky.social petition: Fully Fund Preschool for All. Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/fu...

What does Preschool for All mean to you? Tell us! ✨

Black text on playful yellow backgrounds: “Preschool for All has literally changed our lives. As a family of five, preschool has always been a stressful decision — either chose a co-op program, which are increasingly difficult to find (many have closed in SE Portland), disorganized (we’ve participated in three with our older kids), and practically impossible with two working parents. Or pay for a preschool program that we can’t afford and puts us in debt. Preschool for All changed all that. Our son is thriving socially, his teachers are exceptional, and we feel a true connection to his new school. Plus, we are out of credit card debt for the first time in years. And we are solidly middle class with advanced degrees — I cannot imagine how other families float preschool without Preschool for All.” - Casandra H.M. in Montavilla

💸 Programs like Preschool Promise and HeadStart provide invaluable support to the families who qualify, but the cost burden of preschool hits even middle-class families hard and often leads to debt. Casandra is a mom in Montavilla and she tells us what Preschool For All has meant to her:

Zohran's campaign design of yellow text on a blue background saying "progressive taxation for universal services"

They Pay $34 for Burgers. Should Their Child Care Be Free? A free preschool center opening in one of New York City’s wealthiest neighborhoods raises questions about Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s vow to expand universal child care.

Yes, child care should be free regardless of what your burger costs.

There could also be *more* preschool age children in the county in the next few years, due to the effects of having a high quality, free preschool program available for everyone. That could even increase the revenue needed beyond the tax bump originally planned for 2025.

Yes, there could be fewer preschool age children in the county in the next few years. But more of them will be needing PFA slots as other options are being defunded. This could easily add up to the same need as originally projected in 2020.

Preschool for All's 2026-27 signup window is officially open! We were proud to have Escuelita Esperanza, our preschool program, featured by KGW to share this news. For more info on Preschool for All, go to pfa.multco.us/.

See the full interview: www.kgw.com/article/news...

For every $1 free preschool spends, it generates $13 in earnings. Preschool For All gives back to the community far more than it costs and supports the labor workforce beyond mothers. PFA is economic development.

PFA applications are open the entire month of April. Apply today at pfa.multco.us

couldn't love this more!!

👀 We want to share MORE STORIES, can you tell us yours?

Black text on playful pink backgrounds: “I've lived in Portland for nearly my entire adult life. In my time here, I've worked for non-profits, food carts, and more. These days, I find myself working a job that pays a bit differently than some in my past - and every spring, I'm proud to pay my Preschool for All tax. This program was passed overwhelmingly by our community, designed to be paid by people like me. And we're a better region for it.” - Matt C

✨ More Preschool For All taxpayer pride! Seeing positive, material impacts close to home creates a draw for our community, allowing it to grow!

NEWS RELEASE: Preschool for All opens applications for 2026–27 school year Multnomah County’s Preschool for All program announced today that applications are officially open for the 2026–27 school year, as the program prepares for its largest and most expansive year yet.

PLEASE SHARE: Preschool for All applications for the next school year are now open! 🥳

With more seats available than ever before as the program rapidly expands towards universal coverage, we encourage all interested to apply at pfa.multco.us

More info can be found online ⤵️

WE ❤️ IT