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Staff briefing: bill would delay ECAP entitlement, push back Working Connections income expansions; staff cites $734 million near‑term savings
Summary
A staff briefing on House Bill 1489 explained adjustments to the schedule for entitling Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECAP) slots and delaying Working Connections income eligibility expansions. OFM staff framed the bill as a fiscal response; early learning advocates urged investments in workforce and provider rates.
A House Appropriations Committee staff briefing on House Bill 1489 outlined proposed delays to the implementation schedule for ECAP entitlement and Working Connections income eligibility expansions and presented estimated fiscal impacts.
Durham Clark, staff to the committee, told members that under current law ECAP entitlement would begin in the 2026–27 school year and expand to include families at or below 50% of state median income (SMI) in 2030–31. House Bill 1489 would delay the ECAP entitlement from the 2026–27 school year to the 2030–31 school year; it would also delay phased increases to Working Connections income eligibility.
Clark summarized the governor's maintenance‑level budget numbers…
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