Universal Pre-K in Kentucky remains a topic as lawmakers craft a budget

Universal Pre-K has been a topic of discussion in Kentucky for some time, and with the filing of a couple of bills in the House and Senate, it’s back in the spotlight during the budget making process for the Kentucky General Assembly.

Local legislators are very much aware of the Governor’s thoughts on universal pre-kindergarten for students in the state, and while they believe it would be good a perfect world, they’re not sure they agree with the premise entirely. Representative Myron Dossett says he believes that the measure would actively hurt daycares in the state in the long run, which would result in even more childcare deserts at time when we need more daycare options, not less.

Representative Dossett says would he like to do instead is support educational programs for four-year-olds in their current daycares and have those facilities partner with the local school systems to prepare their students.

Senator Craig Richardson says universal Pre-K is certainly possible—if they only funded that initiative and nothing else of need in the budget. He says he considers this an unrealistic, political talking point for the governor that will likely go unfunded.

As discussions surrounding a budget and what might be in continue in Frankfort, the topic of universal Pre-K will undoubtedly remain, as law-makers hammer out a final version of the spending plan before April 15.