Wisconsin Governor Doyle Proposes an Expanded 4 Year Old Kindergarden

Jason Stein:

s part of his two-year budget proposal to be unveiled Tuesday, the Democratic governor said he will pay for prenatal visits for poor expectant mothers, expand 4-year-old kindergarten classes and help provide in-home care for the elderly. The plans will help students succeed and frail seniors stay in their homes while saving the state money over the long run, Doyle said.

"I believe really strongly in good early childhood development and I think everybody who is involved in education understands how important it is for kids to get off to a good start," Doyle said in an interview. "To me, this is one of the best investments that you can make and the payoff comes in very many ways."

But unlike his previous two budgets, Doyle has an ally in the state Senate, now controlled by Democrats. Political observers said at least some of Doyle's ideas could pass, including proposals to expand 4- year-old kindergarten and send more money to struggling rural school districts, often represented by Republican lawmakers.

"We need to set our priorities, and one of the priorities is our children, and we've just got to find the funding for them," Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit.

Doyle has not said how he would pay for the programs.

Todd Berry, president of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, said it was unclear whether Doyle's proposals actually increase spending or redistribute existing money for schools or other items.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at February 11, 2007 6:02 AM
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