An Apple for the Governors

Twenty-seven governors mentioned pre-k or early education initiatives in their State of the State addresses this year, but how many followed up their rhetoric with action? Pre-K Now takes a look in the just-released “Leadership Matters: Governors’ Pre-K Proposals Fiscal Year 2009,” their annual barometer of governors’ priorities when it comes to funding pre-k and early education.

This year the awards go to Alabama governor Bob Riley (R), who proposed a 174 percent increase in the state’s First Class pre-k program, and Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick (D), who hopes to increase funding for the state’s universal preschool program by 22 percent. Pre-K Now offers further recognition to governors in Virginia, Florida, Iowa, and New Jersey, rounding out a bipartisan team of state leaders pushing for pre-k in the face of mounting budget deficits. All in all, twenty-one governors have either proposed or secured increased funding for pre-k in FY 2009. Eight more governors propose flat-funding existing pre-k programs.

This is the first time in four years, however, that the number of governors recommending pre-k spending increases has declined. Four governors have balked at red lines on their balance sheets and proposed decreasing funding for pre-k. California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) made an across-the-board cut of 10 percent to all government agencies, including a $28.5 million cut to the state’s struggling preschool program.

Even some governors in states with rosier budget scenarios are still turning their backs on deserving preschoolers. Montana this year has a budget surplus of $125 million–more than enough to provide pre-k for every three- and four-year-old in the state. Yet instead of using this money to invest in early education, Montana and Wyoming (another state with a healthy surplus) will remain among the twelve states that have no pre-k program.

Anybody who watches pre-kindergarten grow in states across the country knows that leadership matters, and so do state legislatures. Governors Riley and Patrick deserve praise for championing pre-k, but already Massachusetts legislators have scaled back Gov. Patrick’s proposal. Some Alabama legislators are still opposing pre-k on ideological grounds, and even those who support increasing pre-k investments will have to work to find a way to do so in the context of a $784 million state budget deficit.

Pre-K Now also noted faltering leadership at the federal level. Discretionary grants under the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) were flat funded at $2.1 billion, meaning that 200,000 children may lose assistance. Funding for HeadStart and Title I increased only at sub-inflation levels, leaving states to pick up the tab and putting more kids at risk of loosing access to early education.

Across the country, even the most ardent pre-k supporters have to navigate their hopes for early education through an annual game of budget limbo. One way to reduce the vulnerability of pre-k programs in annual budget struggles is to include pre-k funding in the state school funding formula, as at least 11 states already do. Governors can play a key role in building support for new pre-k programs or increased investment, but for long-term success pre-k advocates must institutionalize programs and funding, and expand the base of support beyond a few visionary champions. That’s key to ensure that young children in all states recieve a steady, consistent commitment to their education.