FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
What is Best Start for Kids STL?
Best Start for Kids STL is a campaign to win approximately $100 million in sustainable public funding for early childhood education across St. Louis City and St. Louis County.
Best Start for Kids STL is an effort led by child care providers, parents, and advocates to establish local public funding for children ages 0 to 5 in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. High-quality early childhood education is fundamentally important to creating a thriving STL. When we invest in the education, well-being, and success of our youngest kids, we invest in the prosperity and future of our region.
We have an unprecedented opportunity to win big and ensure STL kids get the best start possible to become thriving leaders in our region, beginning with St. Louis City on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026.
Myth Vs. Fact
See the Myth vs. Fact PDF.
What is the potential revenue stream?
- St. Louis City: A ½-cent sales tax increase could lead to $22.436 million per year.
- St. Louis County: A ⅜-cent general sales tax increase could lead to $76.5 million per year.
Why are you pursuing a sales tax?
Up to $31,000 is the true cost of care (see full breakdown of cost of care per seat per year based on the child care program type in the table below) in St. Louis per infant per year if you account for all the expenses associated with quality, including fair wages and benefits for educators. Closing the annual funding gap between what is currently being invested in St. Louis children ages 0-5 and what it would cost to provide truly high-quality, universal early childhood education (ECE) is $148,372,945 for St. Louis City and $433,576,000 for St. Louis County, totaling more than $580 million.
| CENTER | FCC | Group FCC | ||||
| Program Size | 5 classrooms, 84 children | 8 children, no more than 2 under 2 | 15 children, no more than 3 under 2 | |||
| Annual | Monthly | Annual | Monthly | Annual | Monthly | |
| Infant | $31,632 | $2,636 | $18,660 | $1,555 | $17,004 | $1,417 |
| Toddler | $31,632 | $2,636 | $18,660 | $1,555 | $17,004 | $1,417 |
| 2-year-old | $21,348 | $1,779 | $18,660 | $1,555 | $17,004 | $1,417 |
| Preschool | $19,296 | $1,608 | $18,660 | $1,555 | $17,004 | $1,417 |
| School age | $8,184 | $682 | $9,876 | $823 | $9,276 | $773 |
Note: School-age cost of care is based on 60% of full-time attendance, accounting for full-time during school holidays and part-time during the school year.
In 2025, Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies completed a cost model specifically for St. Louis. Some of the assumptions that informed the cost model included meeting licensing standards, considering MIT's living wage standards for St. Louis, updated data on non-personnel expenses such as food, utilities, rent, employer contributions to health insurance, paid sick days, paid vacation, and more.
In response to addressing this alarming gap, the Missouri Budget Project analyzed several potential sources of revenue, including property, sales, recreational marijuana, and earnings taxes, as well as local budget earmarks and Children's Services Funds. For multiple reasons, pursuing a sales tax was recommended as the most viable revenue source. Some of the other revenue sources have the following limitations:
- Recreational Marijuana: It is unclear how much revenue can be gathered from recreational marijuana taxes at the local level until court cases are resolved. It is unlikely that the amount of revenue collected through recreational marijuana will be enough to fund even a fraction of the funding gap. Earmarking this additional revenue is complex, as each locality allocates funds separately.
- New Earnings Tax: New earnings taxes have been banned.
- Local Budget Earmarks: Both St. Louis City and St. Louis County are projecting structural budget deficits, which would make it difficult to secure a new earmarked budget item.
- Children's Services Fund: State statute limits the scope of services the Children's Services Fund can support. It is unlikely that the nonprofit grants currently administered would meet even a fraction of the current funding gap.
- Property Tax: There are Hancock-related revenue limitations, and Senate Bill 190 has fueled property tax debates, framing the tax as a "burden" and tainting how receptive local voters would be to new property taxes. Additionally, the campaign commits to not getting in the way of the main local revenue stream for K-12 public schools.
The pursuit of a sales tax does not mean the campaign and its champions are in favor of regressive taxes. The pursuit of a sales tax is based on the belief that no other viable revenue stream options are currently available, according to the research conducted. And, while our original intention was to exempt groceries, we cannot legally do so.
Moreover, it is highly possible that some other effort would tap into the remaining sales tax dollars. If the sales tax is to be pursued regardless, why not use it for children? For context, the history of its use includes:
- County: 0.5 cents sales tax in 2017 for Public Safety
- County: 0.1 cents in 2018 for the Zoo
- City: 0.5 cents in 2017 for Public Safety
Lastly, research shows that every $1 invested in early childhood education can yield up to a $16 return. For example, a half-cent sales tax increase in St. Louis City would cost a family of four with a total household income of approximately $77,000 about $194.75 a year. If that same family has a child 0-5 who benefits from this sales tax by being in a high-quality ECE program, they would save thousands of dollars per year. In St. Louis City, for example, there are currently over 20,000 children ages zero to five. Imagine the financial savings that would yield for thousands of these families.
An investment in early childhood education is progressive for children, families, and our city's economy.
Who will have access to the potential revenue, and how will the funds be used?
The funds may be used for early education and care for children ages 0-5 provided by public, private, not-for-profit, and for-profit entities licensed, license-exempt, or registered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, including preschools, child care centers, nursery schools, public schools, head start and early head start programs, informal child care providers and independent and system-affiliated family child care homes, and transportation related to same.
The funds accessed shall be used to provide and administer programs that improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of early childhood development programs for children aged five years and younger, with priority given to children in financial need.
| Local Subsidies for Families | Foundational Funding Grants for Providers | |
| Purpose | To reduce the cost burden of early childhood care and make high-quality ECE more affordable and accessible for all families across St. Louis. | To strengthen the ECE provider ecosystem and advance system-wide goals such as improved workforce compensation and program quality. |
| How it Works |
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| Who Benefits |
*Note: Children would be eligible for support up through the year prior to kindergarten |
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| Expected Impact |
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Potential Sliding Scale Subsidy Amounts: The subsidy amount will be determined by family income, household size, and the age of the child receiving the local subsidy.
| FPL Tier | % of FPL | Example for a family of 4 | Subsidy % of Average Tuition | Monthly Subsidy (Average of age group amounts) | Estimated Monthly Family Copay |
| Tier 1 | 0% - 185% | Up to $59,478 | 100% | $ 1,124 | $ 0 |
| Tier 2 | 186% - 200% | Up to $64,300 | 90% | $ 1,011 | $ 112 |
| Tier 3 | 201% - 300% | Up to $96,450 | 80% | $ 899 | $ 225 |
| Tier 4 | 301% - 400% | Up to $128,600 | 60% | $ 674 | $ 450 |
| Tier 5 | 401% - 500% | Up to $160,750 | 40% | $ 450 | $ 674 |
| Tier 6 | 501% - 555% | Up to $178,433 | 30% | $ 337 | $ 787 |
| Tier 7 | Over 555% | Over $178,433 | 10% | $ 112 | $ 1,011 |
| Full Scale | City + County | City Only | |
| Local Subsidies | |||
| Number of children served† | ~63,000* | ~9,000 | ~2,000 |
| Local Subsidies Total Cost | ~$450M | ~$75M | ~$18.5M |
| Foundational Funding Grants | |||
| Avg. lead teacher hourly pay with grant | $28.00 | $22.50 | $22.50 |
| Percent of providers receiving grants | 100% | 40% | 3% |
| Number of providers receiving grants | 694 | 278 | 21 |
| Foundational Funding Grants Total Cost | ~$125M | ~$25M | ~$1.5M |
| GRAND TOTAL | $580M | $100M | $20M |
Who will manage the revenue once the campaigns are won?
In St. Louis City, a charter amendment would create a new St. Louis City Early Childhood Education Board, with its members appointed by the mayor, to manage a newly established Early Childhood Education Fund.
In St. Louis County, contingent on the passing of state legislation (see 2025’s Senate Bill 20 for reference) that would have increased the authority of all Missouri Children’s Services Funds to house and manage child care funds, and not only be restricted to mental health, but the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund would also manage the revenue.
Don’t Children’s Services Funds have limitations on what they can fund? Can’t they only fund mental health support and services?
There is a current priority and effort to ensure that the Children’s Services Funds are as least restrictive as possible, so that all spaces, including public schools, serving children 0-5 are eligible for this funding to increase and improve quality, affordability, and access. The current efforts aim to remove the restrictions on funding only mental health supports and services.
What does the ballot measure language say?
Read it here.
Why are you pursuing this campaign right now?
Nationally, "more than 70,000 child care programs—one-third of those supported by American Rescue Plan stabilization funding—will likely close, and approximately 3.2 million children could lose their child care spots. The loss in tax and business revenue will likely cost states $10.6 billion in economic activity per year." - Source
Moreover, across the St. Louis region, 20,000 economically disadvantaged children cannot access early care and education, and even more modest and middle-income families struggle to find and afford the child care they need.
Child care was already in crisis before the pandemic; the crisis was exacerbated during the pandemic, and the tornado further heightened the urgency – especially for impacted families and programs in North St. Louis City. Knowing this, in addition to federal attacks on essential services and funding that support child and family wellbeing, we have decided to take action here at the local level, where we can and while we can. After polling voters at the end of 2023 and seeing the overwhelming and clear support from city residents during the Rams community engagement process and other deep listening efforts, the feedback has been consistently clear. St. Louisans are ready to vote for public funding to ensure the Best Start possible for STL children!
Click here to see our first round of polling results.
Who We Polled
Age Ranges
- St. Louis City: 25.9% were ages 18-34, 27.3% were 35-49, 22.9% were 50-64, and 23.9% were 65+.
- St. Louis County: 20% were ages 18-34, 23% were 35-49, 26% were 50-64, and 31% were 65+.
Demographics
- St. Louis City: 53.2% of respondents were female, 34.9% were Black, and 58.8% were white.
- St. Louis County: 52.6% of respondents were female, 18% were Black, and 77% were white.
Political Affiliation
- St. Louis City: 10.4% identified as Republican, 49.6% as Democrat, and 26.1% as Independent.
- St. Louis County: 24.6% identified as Republican, 25.8% as Democrat, and 25.8% as Independent.
Voter Support
Better K-12 Success
- St. Louis City: 80.1% of voters supported early childhood funding when linked to better K-12 success.
- St. Louis County: 74.2% of voters supported early childhood funding when linked to better K-12 success.
Parents Go to Work
- St. Louis City: 83.2% of voters supported early childhood funding when linked to helping parents go to work.
- St. Louis County: 77.2% of voters supported early childhood funding when linked to helping parents go to work.
Improved Public Safety
- St. Louis City: 79.1% of voters supported early childhood funding when linked to improved public safety.
- St. Louis County: 73.6% of voters supported early childhood funding when linked to improved public safety.
Likelihood of Support Based on These Benefits
- St. Louis City: 78.7% were more likely to support a ½-cent tax raising $15 million, and 77.1% a ¾-cent tax raising $23.5 million.
- St. Louis County: 71.7% were more likely to support a ½-cent tax raising $15 million, and 71.9% a ¾-cent tax raising $23.5 million.
What’s WEPOWER’s relationship to the Best Start for Kids STL Campaign?
WEPOWER is a member and core leader of the Best Start for Kids STL campaign. Best Start for Kids STL is a separate entity from WEPOWER. Most importantly, Best Start for Kids STL is led by child care providers – the women who care for our region’s children and families every day, despite being overworked and underpaid. You are invited to join the coalition alongside WEPOWER and other organizations, childcare providers, parents, and advocates who share the values, vision, and mission of this work. Read more about the coalition here.
What is the Opportunity Trust's relationship to the Best Start for Kids STL Campaign?
The Opportunity Trust has no relationship with Best Start for Kids STL. WEPOWER, a member of the Best Start for Kids STL coalition, discontinued its relationship with The Opportunity Trust in 2021.
How is this effort different from the Prop R funds won in November 2020?
The passage of Proposition R increased the city’s property tax by 6 cents to raise approximately $2.3 million a year for early childhood education investment. The funds are restricted to providing mental and emotional health supports and services to community-based and home-based child care programs. Unlike Prop R, the Best Start for Kids STL campaign is:
- A sales tax.
- Does not have restrictions that limit funding to only mental health and emotional health services.
- A revenue stream that would be available for public schools that provide early childhood educational programming.
Campaign Donation Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is intended as a summary and is NOT legal advice. Please consult your legal and/or tax advisor if you have questions.
How do I contribute?
- You can donate online here.
- By mail: Best Start for Kids STL, PO Box 2187, St. Louis, MO 63158
- If you would like to wire a contribution, please contact Mike Pridmore at mlpridmore@gmail.com.
Are there any limits under the Missouri campaign finance law on the amount I can give?
No. There are no limits on contributions to Missouri ballot measure campaign committees, such as Best Start for Kids STL.
Will my donation be public?
Yes. Contributions are reported as required by law to the Missouri Ethics Commission and are public record. Best Start for Kids STL is required to report your name, address, employer/occupation (if contributing as an individual), the date the contribution was received, and the amount of the contribution.
Who can donate to Best Start for Kids STL?
- Individuals
- Political action committees that are registered with the Missouri Ethics Commission
- Out-of-state political action committees may contribute, but are required to form an in-state committee if aggregate contributions to Missouri committees exceed $1,500 in a calendar year
- 501c3’s. The IRS considers ballot measure support as lobbying activity rather than election activity. As such, contributions to Best Start for Kids STL count toward your organization’s lobbying allowance calculation. Please consult your organization’s tax advisor with further questions.
- 501c4s
- LLCs. LLCs that elect NOT to be taxed as corporations must pre-register with the Missouri Ethics Commission, affirming their non-corporate tax status. Pre-register at https://mec.mo.gov/LLC/Registration.
Missouri law states that a non-corporate LLC that is registered with the Missouri Secretary of State may contribute as long as it has been in existence for at least one year prior to the contribution, and gives notice to the Missouri Ethics Commission that it is a legitimate business and not created for the sole purpose of making contributions.
- Corporations, including corporate LLCs
- Labor unions, including general treasury funds
- Missouri candidate committees
How do I report non-monetary support for Best Start for Kids STL, such as staff time?
Non-monetary contributions are considered in-kind contributions. If you anticipate ongoing in-kind support, please contact Mike Pridmore at mlpridmore@gmail.com to arrange a schedule for reporting your in-kind contributions to the campaign.
Am I required to attest to the eligibility of my contribution?
Yes. Legislation passed by the Missouri legislature and signed by the Governor went into effect on August 28th, 2025, requiring donors to attest that they have not received funding from non-U.S. citizens with the intent to influence U.S. ballot measures.
Best Start for Kids STL is required to obtain an attestation from donors on the eligibility of their contribution. The attestation link is available at https://forms.gle/EypiFWNsASLpEAzy7.
To better understand donation compliance—what entities can donate, where the money would be going, what will be public, etc. —contact Mike Pridmore at mlpridmore@gmail.com.