Governors are increasingly paying attention to early care and education (ECE) in their State of the State Addresses. The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) put together a Report on Governors 2016 Comments on ECE that showed a total of 23 governors (12 Democrats and 11 Republicans) mentioned early care and education in their State of the State addresses (Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’ State of the State did not include early care and education). Most of the attention was on expanding preschool opportunities. Here’s a summary from nearby states:
Michigan
Governor Rick Snyder (R): “Every Michigan child deserves an education that launches them into a successful career path and life…. We’re a national leader in funding preschool. We’ve created the early literacy programs, in terms of Pre-3 reading…”
Minnesota
Governor Mark Dayton (D): “We have finally learned what many child development experts have been telling us for decades: the very first years of a child’s life are deeply formative and determinative. If we don’t prevent achievement gaps before they appear, or close them quickly thereafter, they will require much more difficult and more expensive remedial efforts for years following. Next week I will propose further initiatives to help provide more children with the decent life beginnings that every child deserves.”
Illinois
Governor Bruce Rauner (R): “The key to rising family incomes, more high-paying jobs, and a better life for everyone in Illinois, is to have a high-quality, fully integrated education system from cradle to career, from early education, to K-12 public schools, to outstanding community colleges and universities, all the way to coordinated job training and technical training later in life.”
Iowa
Governor Terry Branstad (R): “Today, I am proposing to increase pre-K-12 funding by over $145 million.”
Let’s hope to see our Governor highlighting investments in early care and education in his next State of the State.
Dave Edie
Early Education Policy Analyst
