THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BROWN, GIBBONS, GOODMAN, JOHNSON, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MICOZZIE, MUNDY, MURPHY, ROAE, SIPTROTH AND YOUNGBLOOD, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Mandating full funding of subsidies for child-care programs.

WHEREAS, Due to the budget impasse, many child-care programs

are not opening this fall or will be operating with a

drastically reduced capacity; and

WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Child Care

Association, there are more than 270,000 children in child care

on any given day in Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Many of these children are from low-income working

families or single parent homes who receive child-care subsidy

assistance; and

WHEREAS, The child-care industry provides for an estimated

58,000 jobs throughout this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Eliminating or reducing funding for early care and

education programs could leave nearly 30,000 children on waiting

lists for safe and reliable care; and

WHEREAS, Quality child care and early education are important

factors in the economic vitality of this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, An investment in our children provides young

Pennsylvanians with the education they need to overcome risk

factors, succeed in school and one day become productive members

of society; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support a budget

for fiscal year 2009-2010 that fully funds important early

education programs, such as Head Start, Keystone STARS, Child

Care Works, Pre-K Counts and Early Intervention.