Yesterday, The American Independent reported that Republican Colorado gubernatorial nominee Heidi Ganahl came out against universal pre-K in last week’s debate — saying, “There’s a lot of nonsense being taught in the schools. And you want to add pre-K to it? I don’t know about that.”
The report said, “Ganahl said students’ academic performance in the current public education system showed that the government had failed in providing early childhood education, even though data shows that students in states with universal pre-K programs have improved development and academic performance.”
Incumbent Democratic Governor Jared Polis, who signed a bill in April expanding access to state-funded pre-K, responded that Ganahl’s stance would “cost families $5,000 a year more.”
Ganahl is clearly out of step with Colorado voters as they “overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in 2020 that raised taxes on nicotine products to fund the universal pre-K program… a whopping 35 point margin.”
The American Independent: Colorado GOP gubernatorial nominee says she’s against universal pre-K
By: Emily Singer | October 3, 2022
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“During a debate on Sept. 28, Colorado Republican nominee for governor Heidi Ganahl said the government shouldn’t be providing universal prekindergarten.”
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“Ganahl said students’ academic performance in the current public education system showed that the government had failed in providing early childhood education, even though data shows that students in states with universal pre-K programs have improved development and academic performance.”
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“Current Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who is running for reelection, signed a bill in April that will guarantee 10 hours a week of tuition-free preschool to every 4-year-old in the state starting in 2023. This will expand access to state-funded pre-K, currently only provided to low-income families or to children with language delays, and it’s estimated that it will save families $4,300 a year.”
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“After Ganahl came out against universal child care in the debate, Polis fired back, ‘If I just heard my opponent come out against pre-K, that will cost families $5,000 a year more.’”
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“Voters in Colorado overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in 2020 that raised taxes on nicotine products to fund the universal pre-K program. The ballot measure passed 67.6% to 32.4%, a whopping 35-point margin.”
Read the full story here.
Published: Oct 4, 2022 | Last Modified: Oct 5, 2022