Last minute maneuver by Kotek undermines the will of Multnomah voters in favor of wealthiest residents

PORTLAND, OR – The Oregon Working Families Party today announced its full support for defending and expanding Multnomah County’s successful Preschool for All program passed in 2020 by 64% of Multnomah County voters. A coalition of community allies and elected leaders is pushing back against attacks from wealthy interests and state leaders that would undermine the program’s future. Oregon WFP joins Family Forward Oregon, Latino Network, Oregon Food Bank, Friends of Preschool for All, Children’s Institute, Black Parent Initiative, Unite Oregon, Portland DSA – Family Agenda Campaign, APANO and Portland for All in defending the program. 

Governor Tina Kotek has proposed at the very end of the state legislative session a troubling proposal to scale back funding for Preschool for All, acting on behalf of wealthy taxpayers who have opposed the program from the start. Preschool for All is funded by a marginal income tax on the county’s top 7% of earners.

Since 2020, Preschool for All has been guaranteeing access to high-quality, tuition-free early childhood education for every 3- and 4-year-old regardless of family income. The program has delivered immediate results, funding over 130 preschool providers and enabling thousands of families—especially Black, Indigenous, people of color, and immigrant families—to access quality childcare. 

“Billionaires have already hijacked our federal government with a plan to gut programs like Head Start as well as public education to line their pockets. Oregon will not let the super-rich rewrite the rules to avoid paying their fair share here while our kids lose access to early learning,” said Annie Naranjo-Rivera, State Director of the Oregon Working Families Party. “Tina Kotek should be working to ensure that our state can withstand the effects of federal funding cuts rather than ripping away early education opportunities from kids.”

The coalition’s action follows Governor Tina Kotek’s proposal to scale back funding for Preschool for All and introduction of SB 106 at the eleventh hour of the current legislative session.

“At a time when early learning programs are under attack, it’s deeply irresponsible for Governor Kotek and the Legislature to consider undermining the financial stability of Multnomah County’s Preschool for All.” said Candice Williams (formerly Vickers), Family Forward Oregon Executive Director. “With federal attacks on Head Start, looming state cuts to Preschool Promise, and over 11,000 families stuck on the ERDC waitlist, the need for strong early childhood support has never been greater. Promises to support Oregon’s families have been broken, and now these attacks on Preschool for All, again something we voted for, culminate as a slap in our faces.”

Local leaders say the stakes are too high to allow backtracking on the county’s commitment to its youngest learners.

“As an elementary school teacher, city councilor and a parent, I know firsthand that early childhood education is one of the smartest investments we can make,” said Portland City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane. “Preschool for All doesn’t just support kids—it strengthens families, boosts our economy, and builds a future where everyone can thrive. We need to move forward, not backward on providing the best start for our young people.”

The Oregon Working Families Party is calling on supporters to sign a petition to Save Preschool for All: https://wfpus.org/saveP4A

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