When Governor Chris Gregoire vetoed early learning for low-income kids out of the state’s new definition of basic education, she pledged to bring a comprehensive early learning plan to the 2010 legislature.

The veto was a blow to early learning advocates, and the Governor quickly received more than 700 emails from disappointed constituents through our Children’s Action Network.

Now, following up on her pledge, the Governor has sent a letter to State Superintendent Randy Dorn and Bette Hyde, director of the state’s Department of Early Learning, asking them to come up with a comprehensive early learning proposal that includes early learning opportunities for all kids from birth to five. The deadline is December 1st—just in time to send something to the legislature.

Last Tuesday, Children's Alliance staff waited outside the Governor's office to attend the signing ceremony for the education reform bill (HB 2261).  We were ready to celebrate a landmark victory for early learning and a step toward equity for disadvantaged children. Then we got the news that the Governor was using her veto power to strip early learning out of the bill, discarding a precious opportunity to begin to address the grave inequalities in our educational system.

President Barack Obama’s 2010 education budget request pours $8.6 billion over 10 years into proven home visiting programs—sending $117.8 million to states in the first year.

That’s a lot of money for programs unaccustomed to getting any federal help at all. It's a hopeful sign even knowing that this is only the president's request and still has to get through Congress's budget process.