Culver signs early childhood program bill
By Todd Dorman Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Friday, May 11, 2007
DES MOINES -- Gov. Chet Culver kicked off a statewide tour to trumpet his legislative accomplishments Thursday by signing a bill that pumps an extra $60 million into early childhood programs.
Culver signed the measure at a Des Moines public preschool while a group of squirming, giggling children watched each stroke of his pen.
"You guys were so well-behaved," Culver told the children.
And as Culver sees it, so was the 2007 Iowa Legislature.
Dunlap Early Childhood Center was stop No.1 on what Culver is calling the "Promises Made, Promises Kept" tour -- a statewide series of events intended to highlight his legislative wins. The list includes a minimum wage hike, cigarette tax increase and a bill he says paves the way for expanded stem cell research.
The governor also is taking along his bill-signing pen as he works through a pile of bills still awaiting action.
"This has been a historic session we can all be proud of," Culver said. "I'm proud to say we delivered on our promises made to the citizens of Iowa."
The bill Culver signed Thursday invests $60 million in several early childhood initiatives with the goal of eventually giving all Iowa 4-year-olds access to state-accredited programs. This year's bill is on top of a $19 million increase for preschool efforts approved a year ago.
And in the future, under the bill, funding for public preschool programs will be added into the same state aid formula that funds K-12 public school districts.
Backers contend the bill Culver signed is the largest public investment in early childhood in Iowa history.
"For a long time, we thought education was kindergarten through 12th grade. But we know today that's not the case, that education begins at birth," said Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, who joined Culver.
Some legislative critics of the bill argued that it's the first step toward a government-run preschool system at the expense of private and faith-based programs.
Sen. Dave Mulder, R-Sioux Center, who attended the bill-signing, disagrees. He contends the legislation will push school boards and local empowerment boards -- which provide state funds to many private providers -- to work together.
"We reach 61 percent of our 4-year-olds with the empowerment program. Now this should facilitate reaching the other 39 percent," Mulder said.
Todd Dorman can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or at todd.dorman@lee.net
Culver signed the measure at a Des Moines public preschool while a group of squirming, giggling children watched each stroke of his pen.
"You guys were so well-behaved," Culver told the children.
And as Culver sees it, so was the 2007 Iowa Legislature.
Dunlap Early Childhood Center was stop No.1 on what Culver is calling the "Promises Made, Promises Kept" tour -- a statewide series of events intended to highlight his legislative wins. The list includes a minimum wage hike, cigarette tax increase and a bill he says paves the way for expanded stem cell research.
The governor also is taking along his bill-signing pen as he works through a pile of bills still awaiting action.
"This has been a historic session we can all be proud of," Culver said. "I'm proud to say we delivered on our promises made to the citizens of Iowa."
The bill Culver signed Thursday invests $60 million in several early childhood initiatives with the goal of eventually giving all Iowa 4-year-olds access to state-accredited programs. This year's bill is on top of a $19 million increase for preschool efforts approved a year ago.
And in the future, under the bill, funding for public preschool programs will be added into the same state aid formula that funds K-12 public school districts.
Backers contend the bill Culver signed is the largest public investment in early childhood in Iowa history.
"For a long time, we thought education was kindergarten through 12th grade. But we know today that's not the case, that education begins at birth," said Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, who joined Culver.
Some legislative critics of the bill argued that it's the first step toward a government-run preschool system at the expense of private and faith-based programs.
Sen. Dave Mulder, R-Sioux Center, who attended the bill-signing, disagrees. He contends the legislation will push school boards and local empowerment boards -- which provide state funds to many private providers -- to work together.
"We reach 61 percent of our 4-year-olds with the empowerment program. Now this should facilitate reaching the other 39 percent," Mulder said.
Todd Dorman can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or at todd.dorman@lee.net
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