Gov. Beshear updates Kentuckians on status of Pre-K for All program

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – During his Team Kentucky Update, Governor Andy Beshear shared new support for the Pre-K for All initiative, including some from local organizations.

The governor announced that 43 local chambers of commerce across Kentucky have now endorsed the initiative, signing a letter and sending it to the general assembly.

Those chambers include the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, the Edmonton-Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce, the Logan County Chamber of Commerce and Barren Inc. in Glasgow.

They join judge executives Joe Choate in Hart County, Jamie Bewley Byrd in Barren County and Larry Wilson in Metcalfe County, along with Mayor Dwayne Hatcher in Cave City and Mayor Randall Curry in Horse Cave, who have also voiced support.

Governor Beshear says he’s seeing growing momentum for the initiative among state legislators as well.

“This has the most bipartisan support I’ve ever seen. But today, you also see that it’s the business community’s number one ask in this session. It’s what they say they need to have the workforce to compete. We’re now seeing other states use this against us when we’re competing for economic development projects,” Beshear says.

He also hopes this encourages the assembly to pass the bill that he says will help with kindergarten readiness for every family.

“Four years old can’t vote. They’re not registered. They just need the help of every Democrat, Republican, Independent, responsible adult to have the tools to live a good life, to not fall behind before they ever get started,” Beshear says.

In the letter from the chambers, leaders note that only 14,000 Kentucky children currently have access to Pre-K, out of about 54,000 eligible kids statewide.

They add that Pre-K isn’t just about education, it’s “an economic development investment that will keep Kentucky moving forward.”

News 40 will keep you updated as the Pre-K for All Initiative moves through the legislature.