By: State Sen. Greg Goggans
ATLANTA (September 21, 2009) – It is certainly no secret Georgia continues to face revenue shortfalls that have now lasted almost an entire year. The General Assembly has been forced to consider some very difficult spending cuts as we are constitutionally mandated to balance our state budget to not spend anymore than the state takes in. These cuts have been surgical in nature in order to protect our vital services such as education and health care. Every legislator believes investing in our children’s future, especially at a young age. Our state’s Pre-Kindergarten program is one facet we actually increased funding for this fiscal year and I wanted to take time to share how this important program works as it relates to the HOPE Scholarship.
While most lottery proceeds, 63 percent, are spent on the HOPE Scholarship Program, the remaining proceeds, 37 percent, are used to fund the state’s Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Program. A pilot program was created in 1992 to prepare 750 at-risk four year olds for kindergarten. In 1995, the program was expanded to all four year olds regardless of income due to the continued growth in lottery funds. Since its inception, over 866,000 four year olds have participated in Pre-K.
The program, which is now operated by the Department of Early Care and Learning, is only available to Georgia residents and is voluntary for both families and providers. Public schools and private development child centers are not required to offer Pre-K programs, so the number of spaces available may not match demand in a particular area. While Pre-K programs maintain waiting lists, the department also helps families find Pre-K classes in other areas. Lack of a capital outlay component has caused some systems to drop Pre-K programs. Unlike HOPE program expenditures, which increase automatically depending on the number of participants and the cost of tuition, the legislature must appropriate funds to provide additional slots in the Pre-K Program. This has helped to control program growth.
The fiscal year 2010 budget provided $350 million for the Pre-K program, a 3.5 percent increase over the 2009 General budget, including $12.5 million for 3,000 new Pre-K slots to provide a total of 82,000 slots.
Please remember to contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area. I am here to represent you and it is an honor for me to work on your behalf. As always, I’d like to thank members of the Senate staff, who contribute regularly to my column.
Sen. Greg Goggans represents the 7th Senate District, which includes Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Lanier, Pierce and Ware counties and a portion of Cook County.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
September 22, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber,Director
Matt Colvin, Broadcast Specialist
matthew.colvin@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028