KPLU Local News
(2006-01-18)
OLYMPIA, WA
(KPLU) -
Experts in Washington State are widely quoting a Federal Reserve Bank study that links early childhood education to economic development.Bob Watt is with the Boeing Company and Co-Chair of the Governor's Council on Early Learning.
He says investments in pre-school and structured day-care provide the best returns for cities and states.
"Better than stadiums, better than tax incentives, better than economic development districts, better than many things that commonly we all try and do to help our city, county, state, region, planet, country be competitive in an increasingly competitive world economy."
Watt testified before a legislative committee in Olympia Wednesday.
He spoke in support of Governor Christine Gregoire's proposal for a cabinet-level Department of Early Learning.
The Governor also has the support of the Gates Foundation, which has pledged $90 million towards early learning over the next decade. © Copyright 2012, KPLU
