Where Does Gov. Perry Stand on Pre-K Funding?
RECEIVED Wed., April 30, 2008
Dear Austin Chronicle,
Pre-K Now's new report, "Leadership Matters," rates each governor's commitment to prekindergarten education. For the first time in four years, the number of governors proposing increases in pre-K funding declined. The struggling economy this year gave voters a good look at their governor's true pre-K colors. While many states are facing deficits, some governors showed that they recognize pre-K's value not only to children and families but to the long-term economic success of their states. These governors understand that young children's minds cannot wait for budget surpluses.
A bipartisan group of 17 state executives chose to protect and grow pre-K investments. Their proposed increases total $261 million and would make pre-K available to nearly 60,000 more 3- and 4-year-olds across the nation.
The states whose governors proposed pre-K funding increases are: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. Also, the mayor of Washington, D.C., proposed an increase.
In the minority are four governors who proposed cuts in pre-K funding. These are the governors of California, Idaho, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Governors in five other states proposed flat funding for pre-K: Arizona, Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, and South Dakota.
Where is Texas? What is Gov. Rick Perry's stand?
Pre-K Now's new report, "Leadership Matters," rates each governor's commitment to prekindergarten education. For the first time in four years, the number of governors proposing increases in pre-K funding declined. The struggling economy this year gave voters a good look at their governor's true pre-K colors. While many states are facing deficits, some governors showed that they recognize pre-K's value not only to children and families but to the long-term economic success of their states. These governors understand that young children's minds cannot wait for budget surpluses.
A bipartisan group of 17 state executives chose to protect and grow pre-K investments. Their proposed increases total $261 million and would make pre-K available to nearly 60,000 more 3- and 4-year-olds across the nation.
The states whose governors proposed pre-K funding increases are: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. Also, the mayor of Washington, D.C., proposed an increase.
In the minority are four governors who proposed cuts in pre-K funding. These are the governors of California, Idaho, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Governors in five other states proposed flat funding for pre-K: Arizona, Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, and South Dakota.
Where is Texas? What is Gov. Rick Perry's stand?
Sincerely,
Jerry R. Grammer, Ph.D.
Jerry R. Grammer, Ph.D.
