Foley promises not to cut early childhood funding

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley said Thursday that despite the huge deficit the state faces, he would not cut the amount the state spends to subsidize daycare for low-income families, Head Start and other early childhood education programs.

"We will not solve the budget deficit on the backs of our young people. ... That is an investment. We are not going to cut back on that," he said during a forum hosted by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance event in Hamden.

Responding to his promise, the room full of about 75 leaders from numerous school systems, childcare centers, and early childhood regional organization across the state, erupted in applause.

"It's the subsidies that make these programs possible," said Paul Wessel, director of Connecticut Parent Power, an organization of parents around the state that advocates for children's issues.

Connecticut Voices for Children reports, based on preliminary estimates, that the state spent $213.8 million in fiscal 2010 on early care and early education programs -- a 6 percent drop from the previous year and an 11 percent decline since 2002, adjusted for inflation.

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