INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A powerful Indiana Senate panel on Thursday slashed a proposed funding increase for a state program that sends poor children to preschool, jeopardizing a major pillar of Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s agenda.
The move imperils efforts by Republican and Democratic education advocates to help Indiana catch up with more than 40 other states that offer significant preschool programs, according to 2015 figures from the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University.
It’s just the latest setback for the new governor this week. Senate Republicans joined Democrats on Monday to shoot down a proposal that would make Indiana’s elected state schools superintendent a position appointed by the governor. That change, which is also sought by House Republicans, was another key part of Holcomb’s agenda for the session.
“The governor looks forward to working closely with lawmakers in the Senate to advance a responsible expansion of the state’s pre-K program that benefits more children from low-income families,” Holcomb spokeswoman Stephanie Wilson said in a statement to The Associated Press. “It’s a key component of the governor’s legislative agenda and one that will contribute directly to the state’s efforts to build a 21st century skilled and ready workforce by ensuring Hoosier students have a strong beginning to their education.”
Wilson also noted that the governor’s full funding request was included in House Republicans’ budget proposal.
Republicans who control both chambers of the Legislature still have about two months to negotiate funding details before adjourning for the year. Still, GOP budget writer Sen. Luke Kenley, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, is known for his resolve and has a long track record of turning down funding requests for programs and pet projects over the years.
When asked if the funding level sought by the Senate was merely an opening negotiating position, Kenley responded: “Absolutely not.”
Increasing state funding for preschool programs was a major issue in the governor’s race last year. Democrat John Gregg called for a universal program, while Holcomb said he supported expanded access for poor kids. The state currently spends $10 million a year on a preschool pilot program, called On My Way Pre-k, which is offered in five counties. But advocates say demand far outstrips available funding and requested $50 million for preschool programs in the next state budget.
The Thursday vote by the Senate Appropriations Committee reduced a $10 million a year increase that Holcomb sought to $3 million. The Senate measure also would set aside $1 million for a new pilot program that would pay for families to use special software allowing them to teach preschool to their children at home.
Democrats on the committee supported the Senate proposal, though they say much more money is needed and that they voted for the bill to keep the issue alive.
The current pilot program was created at the behest of former Gov. Mike Pence, now the vice president, over the objection of many skeptics. But Pence shocked advocates when he opted not to seek $80 million in federal preschool funding for the effort.
The adoption of a statewide program has proven politically difficult with tea party groups, religious conservatives, budget hawks and a network of home schoolers opposed.
Supporters say there is a preponderance of evidence suggesting preschool programs are effective in getting disadvantaged kids ready for school. But Kenley said he’s not certain they work and that he thinks a full-fledged program could grow into a massive expenditure. He said there are existing programs that address some of the need and he believes Indiana should look to Republicans in Washington for federal funding.
“Any reasonable implementation of this on a full-term basis would be a $300 million cost per year,” Kenley said. “We don’t have that funding in the budget.”
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