Head Start Cash Bill Killed

A $1.5 million price tag for Head Start could strangle efforts to start the program for preschoolers across Idaho.

As the Senate Education Committee agreed to debate the Head Start bill, House members killed a separate proposal that would have raised cash for the program.

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee killed an effort by Rep. Tom Trail to raise money for Head Start and substance abuse programs by increasing state beer and wine taxes by two-thirds in the next two years.

Trail said the $3.8 million increase would have boosted young people’s chances of getting a good education while staying away from drugs and alcohol.

“A small increase on the prevention end in terms of substance abuse programs and Head Start would be a good start,” Trail said.

There are a handful of Head Start programs in Idaho, serving only 21 percent of the eligible, low-income 4-year-olds.

Rep. Dolores Crow, R-Nampa, said an increase in wine taxes would hurt Idaho vineyards, which already struggle to survive.

Because almost 90 percent of Idaho’s juvenile and adult prisoners have drug or alcohol problems, Gov. Phil Batt said he would support a beer and wine tax increase. Batt also backs early childhood education, but didn’t recommend money for any specific programs in his budget.

Idaho is one of nine states that doesn’t help fund early childhood programs, said Katherine Pavesic, executive director of the Idaho Head Start Association.

, DataTimes