Published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, by Eleanor Chute

May 8, 2014

In what he termed a tight budget year, Gov. Tom Corbett came to Pittsburgh today to promote his proposal to spend an additional $25.5 million on early childhood programs in 2014-15.

Mr. Corbett visited the Small World Early Learning and Development Center 2, Downtown.

Small World offers a classroom of PreK Counts in each of its two Downtown Centers. The proposed additional money for early childhood includes $10 million for PreK Counts that would enable 1,670 more children ages 4 and 5 to attend quality preschool programs statewide, including about 160 in Allegheny County.

Mr. Corbett was noncommittal as to whether he thinks legislators will agree with the increase, saying, “If I had that crystal ball, I’d be betting on that Lotto.”

But he said he considers the money for early childhood “the best investment going.”

He said each dollar invested in early childhood saves $17 in later costs, including incarceration. He said it also improves lives.

Among those joining Mr. Corbett in support of early childhood education were acting city police chief Regina McDonald, speaking on behalf of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; and retired rear admiral Thomas Wilson, speaking for Mission: Readiness.

(Eleanor Chute, "Corbett pushes more money for early childhood education," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/8/14)