Holly Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org

(Washington, D.C.) – Gov. Bill Ritter is among 17 executives proposing a total of $261 million in increases for pre-kindergarten programs in spite of significant fiscal and political challenges, according to Pre-K Now, a Washington, D.C.-based education advocacy group, releasing its annual state-by-state analysis today.

The report, "Leadership Matters: Governors' Pre-K Proposals Fiscal Year 2009," highlights Gov. Ritter's sustained commitment to investments in early education, including his recommendation of a $21.4 million increase in pre-k funding, which would eliminate the current waiting list for the state's targeted pre-k program, if approved.

"Leadership Matters" finds that the proposed FY09 budget increases would bring total state funding for pre-k to $5.2 billion—a 5.5% increase from last year—and would make pre-k available to nearly 60,000 more three and four year olds.

"Gov. Ritter's efforts to work closely with the legislature on his pre-k agenda could mean a world of difference for those children hungry to learn but on a waiting list," said Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now. "Because of good leadership, more of Colorado's children could enter school ready to learn because they had access to enriching pre-k programs."

In spite of accumulating research on the educational, emotional and economic benefits of quality pre-k programs for children and communities, the number of governors recommending increases in pre-k funding declined for the first time in four years, and funding may be cut in four states by a total of $36 million dollars.

Additional report findings include:

• Pre-k support is neither "red" nor "blue": both Republican and Democratic governors proposed pre-k funding increases.
• Two Western governors presiding over enviable budget surpluses failed to invest in pre-k:
  Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer
  Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal
• In spite of positive pre-k rhetoric in their State of the State addresses, two governors proposed no change to their states' pre-k investments:
  Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour
  Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt of Missouri
  

"Children growing up in states like Colorado, where governors recognize the vital importance of quality pre-k programs, are fortunate. They will enter kindergarten more confident and more prepared to succeed in school and in life," said Doggett.

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Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds. The following funders contribute to making this important work possible: The Pew Charitable Trusts, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the McCormick Tribune Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, RGK Foundation, CityBridge Foundation, PNC Financial Services Group, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.

• "Leadership Matters: Governors Pre-K Proposals Fiscal Year 2009"
• Get FY09 pre-k proposal details for Colorado and other states