Lamont to discuss affordable preschool access in Connecticut
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — Gov. Ned Lamont will discuss his plan for the largest expansion of preschool access in Connecticut's history. The plan now requires approval by the Connecticut General Assembly.
If put into motion, this plan could allow the state to create thousands of new preschool spaces across Connecticut. Lamont says the goal is to expand affordable preschool options by making it free or low-cost for all working families.
Lamont approves $3 million in funding for nonprofits
Lamont wants to pay for the program through a dedicated preschool fund. The governor has said he plans to take three hundred million dollars of cash from last year's budget surplus to start and then draw on future surpluses to keep it funded.
Lamont and his top early childhood official say their proposal wouldn't just make preschool free for many families but also easier to access. Some childcare advocates have questioned whether or not the governor's proposal goes far enough, urging him to make the plan more 'Wholistic' and to consider that childcare goes beyond pre-school.
Some Republicans have questioned how the governor plans to pay for this plan. They say this could exhaust surpluses that could otherwise be used to pay down pension debt.Lamont, though, defended his plan.
'While the governor has this endowment plan, I think we need to do something more within the confines of the budget,' State Rep. Vincent Candelora said.
'This three hundred million would not necessarily have to go to pay down pensions – although we're going to be paying down over a billion dollars in pension liability this year – but could go to start rebuilding this fund on a long-term basis. I think we got the balance right,' Gov. Ned Lamont said.
The governor's plan still needs to win the approval of the legislature. He is set to speak on this at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday morning in New Britain.
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