Group pushes for pre-k funding ahead of Wolf’s inauguration
(Harrisburg) — As Governor-elect Tom Wolf gets ready to take office January 20th, groups are jockeying for increased state funding.
The Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children is pushing expanded pre-kindergarten.
President Joan Benso says every dollar spent on pre-k programs generates a return of between $7 and $17 for society.
She says the benefits go beyond the numbers though.
“They are in group settings. They learn about sharing, getting in line, doing things that produce natural order in groups, they learn how to compromise, those very important skills that help them get ready for kindergarten,” she says.
Benso says pre-k also helps keep people on the right track, saving the state Department of Corrections money.
However, the state’s budget secretary recently said Wolf will face a budget deficit of nearly $2 billion.
Governor Corbett used one-time revenues to balance the current fiscal year budget.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
