Holly Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org

(Washington, D.C.) – Governor Brian Schweitzer is cited for bucking two national trends in a report released today by Pre-K Now, a D.C.-based education advocacy organization. "Leadership Matters: Governors' Pre-K Proposals Fiscal Year 2009" rebukes the governor for failing to provide state funding for pre-kindergarten in spite of being one of the few states enjoying a budget surplus. Gov. Schweitzer's actions set him apart from 17 state executives who proposed to increase investments in pre-k by $261 million.

In spite solid and growing evidence of pre-k's educational and economic benefits, Montana continues to be one of only eight states that do not invest in pre-k. Many of the governors proposing pre-k increases did so without a budget surplus and in the face of major fiscal and political challenges. Their FY09 budget proposals would bring total state funding for pre-k to $5.2 billion—a 5.5% funding increase from last year.

"We know the West is about individuality, but bucking the trend when it comes to pre-k is not wise," said Libby Doggett, Ph.D., executive director of Pre-K Now. "Montana's families with young children must be confused: Gov. Schweitzer clearly recognizes the link between pre-k and his state's economic competitiveness, yet he's failed to recommend funding it."

"Leadership Matters" highlights the inconsistency between the governor's budget priorities for FY09 and remarks just last September at the Telluride Economic Summit on Early Childhood Investment, at which he emphasized the importance of investing in pre-k. According to one economic analysis noted in the report, Montana could provide high-quality pre-k for every three and four year old in the state with $88 million of its projected $125 million FY09 surplus.

"Montana's parents are just as interested in the success of their children as parents anywhere," Doggett said. "Quality pre-k helps children prepare for success in school and in life. It's a proven fact that the governor is choosing to ignore, and these parents should be asking him 'why?'."

Additional report findings include:

• Commitment to pre-k is neither "red" nor "blue": both Republican and Democratic governors proposed pre-k funding increases.
• Colorado's governor is among the Western leaders proposing pre-k increases; his plan would eliminate the state's waiting list.

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Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds. The following funders contribute to making this important work possible: The Pew Charitable Trusts, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the McCormick Tribune Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, RGK Foundation, CityBridge Foundation, PNC Financial Services Group, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.

• "Leadership Matters: Governors Pre-K Proposals Fiscal Year 2009"
• Get FY09 pre-k proposal details for Montana and other states