John Edwards for President-Kaine, Former VP Candidate Edwards Push Pre-Kindergarten Plan

Kaine, Former VP Candidate Edwards Push Pre-Kindergarten Plan

Sep 9, 2005 8:54 PM

Bob Lewis
Associated Press
Sep 9, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Democratic gubernatorial nominee Tim Kaine toured one of Virginia's oldest early childhood schools Friday with former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards to press his case for universal pre-kindergarten access in Virginia.

Kaine and Edwards, John Kerry's running mate a year ago, said that Virginia is missing an opportunity to prepare its toddlers to perform in schools and, later, to compete in a much more demanding workplace.

"This facility is a perfect example of helping get these kids on the right track, and we as a nation need to make a commitment as other nations have done to end poverty in our lifetime," Edwards said outside the Barrett Early Learning Center, which was established in 1935.

Kaine has proposed making structured education available to every Virginia parent who wants it, an initiative he estimates would cost about $300 million a year after a four-year, incremental phase-in.

Kaine said the projected expense of the program doesn't take into account the savings he envisions from a reduced demand for remedial education and reduced costs of truancy and juvenile crime.

"We spend at least $5 for remedial education right now for every dollar we put in early childhood education," Kaine said. "All the studies on early childhood education show this is going to pay for itself."

Gov. Mark R. Warner, a popular fellow Democrat with whom Kaine, the lieutenant governor, has strongly aligned himself, has cautioned all candidates in this year's race about offering new, election-year programs that would create hefty obligations on a state budget that will already be stretched thin.

Statewide polls show broad approval of Warner's handling of $6 billion in budget shortfalls his first two years in office, and even support for a $1.4 billion increase in taxes put in place in 2004. But Warner, barred by the state Constitution from seeking re-election, has also warned that the next governor and the General Assembly that convenes in January will face $3 billion in additional costs for the new budget they must draft just to sustain existing programs.

"I am focusing on things where we can build on this management tradition that we have, advance smart priorities and do so in ways that save us money on the back end," Kaine said.

Edwards, who is expected to run again for president in 2008, walked through homey, wood-floored rooms filled with toys, children's books and brightly colored rugs in the old converted house where Barrett schools up to 45 preschoolers.

Both men knelt to speak to bashful toddlers huddled behind the center's teachers or their parents.

Susan Wagoner of Charlottesville had brought her 2-year-old daughter, Olivia, to check out Barrett. Olivia is enrolled at the school and scheduled to begin attendance in about a week.

"What a surprise. I brought her here to get acclimated to the place and these guys are here," Wagoner said.