Early Care and Education in Governor Shapiro’s 2023-24 State Budget Proposal
HARRISBURG, PA (March 7, 2023) – Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, issued the following statements regarding Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2023-24 state budget proposal. ELPA operates four issue-based advocacy campaigns: Start Strong PA, Pre-K for PA, Childhood Begins at Home and Thriving PA.
Budget Proposal “Maintains” Child Care System in Crisis
“Governor Shapiro correctly emphasized the importance of high-quality child care for working families and the need to boost child care wages to get “more teachers and professionals on the job,” and eliminate growing wait lists. Unfortunately, the Administration's $66.7 million proposal merely maintains a system already in crisis.