HARRISBURG (February 4, 2016)—The Pre-K for PA campaign lauded Governor Tom Wolf’s continued commitment to expanding access to pre-k in Pennsylvania after he announced his plans today to propose a $120 million multi-year investment in his 2016-17 budget address on February 9. The plan calls for $60 million total investment in 2015-16 budget and additional $60 million in the 2016-17 budget.

The principal partners of the two-year-long campaign to increase funding for high-quality pre-k issued the following statement regarding this budget proposal:

“We are pleased that Gov. Wolf remains committed to make high-quality pre-k available to more kids. This proposed multi-year commitment capitalizes on the significant new $30 million investment in pre-k already adopted by the legislature in the budget passed at the end of December making it possible for over 6,000 children to enroll in pre-k for the remainder of this school year.

“Support for expanded access to pre-k has become a bi-partisan priority that has generated enormous energy among a diverse collection of stakeholders across the commonwealth. Our coalition, representing ten organizations and more than 13,000 supporters, urges the Governor and Legislature to kick off this next round of budget discussions by coming together behind a pre-k funding agreement that keeps us on track to serve all at-risk kids by 2019.

“A bipartisan agreement generated by a push for something as important as access to pre-k has the potential to significantly boost public confidence in our political process. It’s time to get behind pre-k because it speaks to Pennsylvanians and unites the many proud constituencies of our state who know our future is dependent on all kids entering school ready to learn.”

Pre-K for PA was launched in 2014 with the vision that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. This statewide coalition includes: Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children; Economy League of Greater Philadelphia; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Mission: Readiness; Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children; Pennsylvania Head Start Association; Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children; Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children; Public Citizens for Children and Youth; and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. www.prekforpa.org

 

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