Today, the House and Senate approved the FY12 compromise budget of $30.6 billion. The budget is $700 million higher than that of the current fiscal year, and was crafted without $1.5 billion in federal stimulus aid that the state relied on in FY11. The Department of Early Education and Care and its programs were funded at $495 million. While many other areas and programs of state government were cut, the Legislature worked hard to preserve and protect key investments in early education and care programs that provide children with the start they need to succeed in school and in life.  This budget preserves level funding for the Universal Pre-K Program, full-day kindergarten grants and the Early Childhood Educator Scholarship.
 
Click here for more information about the budget recommendations for programs administered by the Department of Early Education and Care. Next, the budget will move to Governor Patrick who will have 10 days to review the bill before signing it.  He can veto and propose amendments during this process.  Please email Governor Patrick or call his office at (617) 725-4005 to ask him to support investments in young children and families in the FY12 state budget.