How should Democrats expand childcare? Potential 2028 contender Andy Beshear was asked about pre-K
Beshear’s case for preschool
Beshear has pushed to expand pre-K in Kentucky and says the effort should extend nationally. He is weighing a presidential run as childcare becomes an issue for Democratic hopefuls.
He said more than half of Kentucky children arrive at kindergarten unprepared. Although the state has supported voluntary preschool since 1991, only about one-quarter of 4-year-olds can attend its state-funded program.
A pilot after funding fight
Beshear said he has sought pre-K funding in each budget, but Republican legislative leaders have blocked it. He argued the state could afford the expansion, noting he has produced a surplus every year as governor.
Instead, he redirected flexible federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, known as WIOA, to establish five pilots around Kentucky. The programs have added 3,000 seats since May, according to the article.
Partisan dispute, broad support
Beshear said Republican lawmakers supported preschool expansion under a previous Republican governor, who vetoed it, but have opposed it under his administration. He said the difference is the party of the governor and accused legislative leaders of denying him a political win at the expense of children.
He said some rank-and-file Republicans want pre-K and that the issue polls strongly among Republicans. Beshear said a ballot measure on preschool would pass with more than 80 percent support.
Key points
- Beshear says Democrats should make preschool expansion a national priority.
- Kentucky’s state-funded preschool program reaches about one-quarter of 4-year-olds.
- Five pilots funded with flexible WIOA funds have added 3,000 seats since May.
- Beshear says preschool has support among Republicans, despite opposition from legislative leaders.