INDIANAPOLIS — Children across Indiana could gain access to state-funded pre-kindergarten education under Senate legislation approved 41-9 Tuesday that now goes to the House.
Senate Bill 276, co-sponsored by state Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Merrillville, would allow 4-year-olds from low-income families in any county — not just Lake and the four other pilot preschool counties — to draw on a $16 million annual appropriation to pay for high-quality early learning opportunities.
That's $4 million a year less than requested by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, but a $6 million annual boost compared to current state preschool spending.
State Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington, said the proposed preschool funding still is inadequate to meet Indiana's need, which he pegged at $50 million a year.
"We can find the money. We spend that money on other programs that don't have anywhere near the benefit," Stoops said.
The House separately has approved a $20 million preschool funding plan that expands availability to more children in up to 10 of Indiana's 92 counties.
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