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Senator Peterson Presses for Preschool Funding Parity; Amendment Fails
Summary
Senate Amendment 52‑22 aimed to give public preschools on‑time capacity funding parity with private preschools; Senator Peterson said up to 50% of four‑year‑olds in his district are on waiting lists. The amendment was defeated 16–30.
Senator Peterson (Senator from Polk) presented Senate Amendment 52‑22 arguing the bill would create two classes of four‑year‑olds by front‑loading capacity funding to private preschools while public programs get paid in arrears. He said his district has long waiting lists — "We have 50 percent of our 4 year olds are on a waiting list" — and argued the amendment would treat all four‑year‑olds fairly.
Senator Green (Senator from Boone) countered that the amendment could burden the department’s ability to expeditiously make payments. Senator Winkler (Senator from Scott) supported Peterson’s parity claim, citing workforce and access arguments. The presiding officer ordered a recorded roll call after final comments; the secretary recorded 16 aye, 30 nay and the amendment failed.
