Override Gov. Baker's Cuts to Early Education

Gov. Charlie Baker just vetoed a number of funding items for early education. I need your help to override these cuts.

Massachusetts should lead on education, but when it comes to early education we're falling behind. While states like Oklahoma offer a free year of early education to every child, Massachusetts has repeatedly cut funding for these critical programs.

Since 2001, early education and out-of-school-time programs have lost more than $148 million in state funding, adjusting for inflation. 1 There were modest gains in this year's budget, but if we don't override the cuts from Gov. Baker, we'll continue to undermine early learning programs.

The research is clear -- kids who receive a high-quality early education graduate from high school and college at higher rates, and are less likely to be incarcerated or rely on public assistance.

It is incredibly short-sighted to cut early education. It just means more costs down the line.

Among the cuts to the program are $7.5 million in cuts to early education salaries, which is especially troubling. Early educators have already born the brunt of 15 years of cuts. As a result, the field is in crisis, with a 30% turnover rate in the workforce.

We can do better. Every child deserves the same strong start. I know we can override these cuts, but we have to speak up so lawmakers know we are paying attention.

1. MassBudget, July 7, 2016 http://goo.gl/KvRxHx