Colorado votes to raise taxes to pay for all public students' school meals

Voters in Colorado on Tuesday approved measures to increase taxes on high earners to fund school meal programs for all public students in the state.

Propositions LL and MM both passed by healthy margins, according to state ballot counts.

Proposition LL allows the state to keep existing tax revenues to spend on the program. Under its state constitution, Colorado must receive permission from voters to place such earmarks, otherwise the funds are returned to taxpayers.

Proposition MM increases the income taxes for households that earn at least $300,000 a year. It intends to raise another $95 million a year to pay for free breakfast and lunch for all K-12 students in public schools in the state.

Parts of Proposition MM also prioritize healthy, whole foods over processed ingredients, incorp