Many states such as North Carolina, California, New York, and Pennsylvania are making progress toward state funding for quality child care initiatives and compensation for early care and education professionals. I will continue to support state initiatives for early care and education programs in Missouri. All education should be funded at levels that provide appropriate compensation for the professional providing the care and education. Early care and education professionals are part of the educational system and need both training and compensation for the important jobs they are doing. I have already called for part of the tobacco settlement to be used for youth smoking prevention programs.
Preventative programs save money in the long-term and make the best public policy.