By Kendall Black, The Portland Medium
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted last week to delay a proposal that would adjust the Preschool for All income tax thresholds for inflation, preserving the program’s original funding structure and its goal to provide free, culturally responsive preschool to all county families by 2030.
The 3–2 vote followed a month-long public process that included two public briefings, a work session, and an evening listening session that drew hours of public testimony. Commissioners weighed economic data, public input, and expert analysis on the program’s long-term sustainability and expansion.
Central to the board’s decision was a report from the Preschool for All Technical Advisory Group (TAG), a panel of local economists and early childhood policy experts established by the original ballot measure. The group, while analyzing the program’s fundamentals, did not reach consensus on recommending inflation indexing or other tax adjustments at this time.
TAG is now expected to continue its review of the program’s financial structure, with a comprehensive report due in early 2026. In its next phase, the group will examine how Preschool for All affects regional economic competitiveness and how demographic shifts influence the path to universal preschool coverage.
Preschool for All’s current financial model uses early-year revenue surpluses to build infrastructure and support future growth. These funds are being invested in workforce development, facilities expansion, and program quality to ensure long-term sustainability.
Now in its fourth year, the program is preparing to serve nearly 4,000 children across more than 200 locations this fall—an increase of 70% in available seats compared to the previous year. When combined with other publicly funded early learning programs, more than 40% of the county’s 3- and 4-year-olds will have access to preschool this school year.
“I am the mother of 4-year-old twins who are currently enrolled in a Preschool for All site this year up in St. Johns in North Portland,” said Laura, a parent who testified at the listening session. “Enrolling them in free full-day school has allowed me to find a part-time job…I am thrilled to re-enter the workforce.”
“I am speaking tonight as the father of two young children…I moved here from Louisiana to Portland to join a community where progress still felt possible,” said Ami, another community member who testified.
Data show the program is successfully reaching its target populations:
• 71% of enrolled children are from families earning at or below 350% of the federal poverty level.
• 65% identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color.
• 30% of families speak a language other than English, with 61 languages represented.
Supporters say the program has also been essential for early learning providers, many of whom have faced instability due to funding reductions in other state and federal preschool programs.
“The funding through PFA has allowed me to recruit and retain childcare professionals while allowing me the opportunity to invest in them,” said Troy, owner of the Sunshine Center, a PFA partner site in North Portland. “These financial incentives not only benefit us as a childcare provider, but it flows into the community. As a small business owner, I hire small firms to do my remodels, I use small businesses to cater my staff training cohorts, and I buy lunches from the mom-and-pop businesses in the Overlook neighborhood where my preschool is located.”
Approved by more than 64% of voters, Preschool for All is a Multnomah County initiative to provide tuition-free, high-quality preschool for all interested families. Through investments in the early education workforce, facilities, and partnerships with community-based providers, the program aims to achieve universal access by 2030.
