MEDIA REPORTS
WJET TV: United Way calls for investment in pre-k programs
The United Way of Erie County and Pre-K for PA team up to call for stronger state investments in pre-kindergarten programs.
PennLive: Pennsylvania’s state budget talks, at loooonnnnng last, enter home stretch
The six-month Pennsylvania state budget impasse – after months of political gridlock – is showing significant signs of breaking up.
AP: Pa. budget stalemate cost approaches critical mass
The collapse of a second agreement between Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers threatens to extend the state government budget stalemate deeper into December, its sixth month. Here is the impact to date:
York Dispatch: High-quality pre-K skips most York County kids
According to data collected by Pre-K for PA, an organization dedicated to expanding access to early education programs across the state, 84 percent of York County 3- and 4-year-olds — 9,169 out of nearly 11,000 potential young learners — do not have access to high-quality pre-K. Of those without access, nearly 60 percent live in families below 300 percent poverty.
AP: More Pre-K Programs Closing Amid Pennsylvania Budget Battle
With budget talks dragging on in the Pennsylvania capitol, more early childhood centers certified under Pennsylvania’s state-subsidized pre-kindergarten program are closing without state aid.
Lancaster Online: State Budget Impasse: How are Pennsylvania’s Littlest Learners Being Affected?
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program allow preschools to open spots for children from low-income families. Funding for both programs has been on hold during the state budget impasse.
Beaver County Times: Budget impasse creates funding challenges for child care providers
But lately, Medva — a working single mom who qualifies for reduced-price child care through the state’s Child Care Works program — says she wonders what might happen if the Legislature doesn’t come to an agreement, potentially halting those subsidies, soon.
PennLive: As Budget Framework Emerges, Preschool Advocates Fear They’ll be Squeezed Out: Analysis
Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative Republicans may be working out the fine print details of a nascent state budget framework, but advocates for early childhood education programs already fear the state’s youngest residents could get squeezed out of a final deal.
The Notebook: Pa. budget framework supports major funding boost for public schools
Sources in the Pennsylvania Capitol say that the framework reached Monday for a state budget agreement includes a $400 million increase to K-12 public education this year.
Philly.com: Possible breakthrough in Pa.’s budget stalemate?
For the first time in their five-month-old standoff, Gov. Wolf and Republican legislators indicated Monday that they had reached a tentative agreement on key pieces of the long-overdue state budget.
