The PA Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 has passed the General Assembly, and it was a real win for publicly funded pre-k in PA. The legislature supported Governor Wolf’s proposal to expand pre-k access for more than 2,300 kids and boost rates to support the early care and education workforce and address rising costs – a much needed increase!
The final budget includes $60 million in new state funding for PA Pre-K Counts and $19 million for PA’s Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program – a $79 million increase total, which represents eight years in a row of increased access under Governor Wolf’s administration. In fact, over the past eight years, investment in these critical early learning programs has increased by nearly 180% serving tens of thousands more eligible children.
The state’s commitment to pre-k is still growing and leaders like Governor Wolf, Senator Pat Browne and State Representative Mark Longietti – true champions for publicly funded pre-k year over year – deserve recognition for their role in its continued expansion.
From PA Pre-K Counts
For further discussion on the impact of the new Pennsylvania budget on children, go here.
