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Early Learning Section Vetoed
I just learned that the early learning section of the basic education reform bill was vetoed by the Governor today. In her message to folks she said that she could not support early learning services for at risk children only and that it needed to be broader based. Apparently, no one was told about the veto until this morning when DEL and early learning advocates lined up to be part of the bill signing and were informed of the situation. As you can imagine this is not only a major set-back for ECEAP, but the thousands of low income children and families that would have received services as a result of the new law.
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Comment by Heather Gerrard on June 5, 2009 at 2:49pm -
Joel- For me it was a sad day, I felt that the GOV had let me down as a ECEAP mom. I would like to see every child receiving EL in our state too, but that is something that is just not going to happen now, yet the addition to EL to Basic ED would have laid a very strong foundation for that goal of every child in the state, and a powerful message that our children's education is very important. I also feel that this just puts EL back into the rat race of fighting for funding with so many other programs out there....
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Comment by Heather Gerrard on June 5, 2009 at 2:43pm
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Sarah I think that the next step is to rally behind the legislators that helped the EL part of the bill to get to the GOV's desk, keep up with the hard work that we have been doing in showing that EL is important, and remind the GOV that though this part of the bill was not perfict, it was the best start in providing all children with EL in our state. Though it is a set back, we have made great ground in the fight for protecting EL and I think that even though we still have a fight, that we have gained some great support on the hill for our vision.
I think that we need to keep working together to get the word out that this is an important and wise investment in everyone's future so that we can keep our community moving and growing in the fight to gain EL as part of Basic ED... where it should be.
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Comment by Nhi Tran on May 24, 2009 at 8:09am -
What do you think about this editorial by the Seattle Times, Heather?
The Seattle Times Editorial: Governor shows leadership on early learning
GOV. Chris Gregoire's veto of the early-learning portion of the massive education-reform bill won't win her any new friends — quite a few supporters are now critics — but the move was smart and courageous. ...Read more
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Comment by Nhi Tran on May 22, 2009 at 7:17am
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SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Our View: Early-learning veto hurts neediest kids the most
"It’s one thing to eliminate a proposed item because the budget needs cutting, but that’s not the reason Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire gave for her surprising veto of the early learning portion of the overall school reform bill"...Read more
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Comment by Sarah Borgida on May 21, 2009 at 1:47pm -
Glad to hear your perspective, Heather. What do you think next steps for mobilizing the community might be? Let me know. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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Comment by Joel Ballezza on May 21, 2009 at 1:18pm -
Thank you for sharing this Heather. Please share how you have been impacted by this decision.
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Comment by Nhi Tran on May 21, 2009 at 1:07pm
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Thanks for highlighting this Heather. Here are some news coverage regarding this veto for those who wish to learn more:
Gregoire against preschool for at risk kids (Examiner.com)
Gov. Gregoire signs school reform plan (MyNorthWest.com)
Governor's early learning veto a shock and disappointment (Children's Alliance)
Gregoire Sign School Reform-well most of it anyway (Tacoma News Tribune)
Governor Assailed for Early Learning Veto (Seattle's Child)
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