Thank you for being a voice for children. We need your voice now!
BackgroundOn Thursday, the State Department of Finance released the budget forecast for the rest of the biennium (through June 2009). The forecast includes bad news: a deficit of $935 million. Because the Legislature needs to have a balanced budget by the end of the Legislative session, this means that there will likely be cuts in current funding to state programs.
In 2003, when there was a similarly tight economic situation, early childhood programs received disproportionate cuts in funding. Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Kelliher and other early childhood champions in the Legislature, funding for Head Start, ECFE and School Readiness was restored last year to pre-2003 levels and incremental progress was made in restoring funding to the child care assistance program. Unfortunately, early childhood education remains severely lacking in resources.
We know the research - investing in high quality early childhood education is a strong investment in our economy. Five years of missed investments has led to decreased access to high quality early learning choices. In this time of economic distress, cutting funding for early childhood programs is the wrong thing to do
Action Needed
You can make a difference! It’s important that the Early Childhood Learning Finance committee NOT receive a negative budget target. Call your Representative today and ask them to talk to Speaker Kelliher. Ask them to tell her to preserve funding for early childhood programs and don't cut kids!
You can find who represents you by clicking here or call House Information at 651-296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550
Come to the Capitol!
In addition to making your call, show your support for early care and education by attending a hearing of the House Early Learning Finance Committee. Advocates from all sectors are planning to come fill the room. Join us!
Tuesday, March 4
4:00 – 5:30pm
Room 200, State Office Building
The committee will be discussing the establishment of an Office of Early Learning (HF 2983) and bills related to child care, including reimbursement rates (HF 2555), absent day requirements (HF 2637), basic sliding fee waiting list (HF 2689).
Thank you for being a voice for children. We need your voice now! Background On Thursday, the State Department of Finance released the budget forecast for the rest of the biennium (through June 2009). The forecast includes bad news: a deficit of $935 million. Because the Legislature needs to have a balanced budget by the end of the Legislative session, this means that there will likely be cuts in current funding to state programs. In 2003, when there was a similarly tight economic situation, early childhood programs received disproportionate cuts in funding. Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Kelliher and other early childhood champions in the Legislature, funding for Head Start, ECFE and School Readiness was restored last year to pre-2003 levels and incremental progress was made in restoring funding to the child care assistance program. Unfortunately, early childhood education remains severely lacking in resources. We know the research - investing in high quality early childhood education is a strong investment in our economy. Five years of missed investments has led to decreased access to high quality early learning choices. In this time of economic distress, cutting funding for early childhood programs is the wrong thing to do. Action Needed You can make a difference! It's important that the Early Childhood Learning Finance committee NOT receive a negative budget target. Call your Representative today and ask them to talk to Speaker Kelliher. Ask them to tell her to preserve funding for early childhood programs and don't cut kids! You can find who represents you by clicking http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html here or call House Information at 651-296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 Come to the Capitol! In addition to making your call, show your support for early care and education by attending a hearing of the House Early Learning Finance Committee. Advocates from all sectors are planning to come fill the room. Join us! Tuesday, March 4 4:00 - 5:30pm Room 200, State Office Building 100 Martin Luther King Blvd The committee will be discussing the establishment of an Office of Early Learning (HF 2983) and bills related to child care, including reimbursement rates (HF 2555), absent day requirements (HF 2637), basic sliding fee waiting list (HF 2689). http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faqtoc.asp?subject=14 Directions and parking at the Capitol 2233 University Avenue, Suite 345 St. Paul, Minnesota 55114-1629 | Tel: 651 644-8138 | Fax: 651 644-0733 | http://www.ready4k.org/ www.ready4k.org
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