TECEC
Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition

Gov. Perry Vetoes HB 130: A Message From Kara Johnson

As the Executive Director of the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition (TECEC), I wanted to personally thank you for all of your work during the 81st Legislative Session to build a high quality early education system in the state of Texas. As you may already know, TECEC’s priority bill, House Bill 130, was vetoed by Governor Rick Perry at 4:30pm on Friday. House Bill 130 would have ensured access to proven high quality, full day pre-k programs for thousands of military, foster care, homeless, and other at risk children.

Despite politics getting in the way, the Coalition has much to celebrate:

$25 MILLION. In spite of the veto, Texas will still see an additional investment of $25 million to its current pre-k program. This is the largest increase in the country. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will receive the $25 million originally budgeted for HB 130 to spend on other pre-k initiatives. This would not have happened without the tireless work of Coalition advocates.

OVERWHELMING SUPPORT. Despite the veto, House Bill 130 still passed the Texas Legislature with more co-authors than any other bill at the Capitol, and was voted favorably out of both the House and Senate with a two-thirds majority vote. You made this happen! More than 20,000 emails, letters, and faxes were sent to policymakers in support of this legislation. Stay strong, we will need this support as we head back to the Texas Capitol in 2011.

QUALITY MATTTERS. Thanks to HB 130, legislators are committed to quality and understand it can make the difference. House Bill 130 passed the House and Senate with research-based, enhanced quality components such as smaller class sizes, highly trained teachers, lower child to staff ratios, and approved quality curricula.

MEDIA ATTENTION. Throughout the session, every major newspaper in the state of Texas covered the story of HB 130 and the importance of high quality pre-k. Scores of articles were written, including opinion pieces in support of this important piece of legislation. Our advocacy day at the Capitol was covered by radio, television, and video blogs.

This is an important moment in the Texas early education movement. As a Coalition, we are more determined than ever to the development of a high quality early education system for children and families in Texas. Do not let the veto of HB 130 overshadow our other early education wins this session, including: 1) an investment of $25 million to the current Texas pre-k program; 2) the passage of Jacob’s Law to ensure additional training hours for child care providers; 3) additional legislative oversight and contracting transparency for the State Center for Early Childhood Development; 4) parent notification of prekindergarten eligibility; 5) the passage of legislation that ensures Head Start programs in Texas qualify for federal grant funding, such as the "E-Rate Program;" 6) the establishment of a Council on Children and Families; 7) additional funding for Early Childhood School Readiness Programs (TEEM and the School Readiness Certification System); and more.

After six years of success, the early education movement in Texas has grown to be so strong that its only critics are those who opposed any public investment, no matter how solid the research. This resistance is an unfortunate reality. However, with your commitment and passion, I know that Texas, ultimately, will have a high-quality early childhood education system.

This veto will not deter our efforts in the future, in fact it strengthens our resolve. TECEC is already in the process of working with legislators on interim charges related to pre-k and child care, which will ensure solid legislation as we head into 2011. Thank you again for all that you do and congratulations on a successful session.

Sincerely,

Kara Johnson
COMING SOON!



Only 2.2 percent of media coverage of education focuses on education of preschool-aged children

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