In a wide-ranging address this morning, Governor Jeanne Shaheen laid out her agenda for children and families. The speech came on the heels of a report that finds increased spending on children would benefit the state economically. NHPR?s Trish Anderton reports
SPEAKING TO A MEETING OF CHILD ADVOCATES, SHAHEEN SAID SCHOOL FUNDING REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY. IN DECEMBER 1997 THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SUPREME COURT ORDERED THE STATE TO PAY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE GOVERNOR ADMITTED SHE HASN?T ACCOMPLISHED EVERYTHING SHE WANTS IN THAT AREA. BUT SHE ARGUED HER ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE PROGRESS, AND SHE CREDITED CHILD ADVOCATES WITH HELPING TO MOVE THE DEBATE FORWARD.
007 06 with your help we?ve fundamentally changed the conversation about how we fund public education in new hampshire. It?s no longer a debate about whether we?re going to fund education, its about how much and how we?re going to pay for it.
THE GOVERNOR REITERATED HER SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN?S HEALTH AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION EFFORTS. SHE PLEDGED TO KEEP WORKING TO SIGN UP FAMILIES FOR THE STATE?S HEALTHY KIDS INSURANCE PROGRAM. SHE PROMISED TO CONTINUE RECRUITING SUPPORT FOR CHILD CARE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. AND SHE SAID HER ADMINISTRATION WOULD LOOK INTO OTHER WAYS TO HELP CHILDCARE WORKERS.
10 05 one of most critical issues for childcare workers is not having healthcare benefits. If we could provide those benefits, we could keep many more people in the field ( applause)
SHAHEEN NOTED THAT THE STATE?S SLOWING ECONOMY ALSO AFFECTS CHILDREN. SHE SAID SHE WOULD CONTINUE EFFORTS TO WIDEN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE. SHE ARGUED AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A CHILDREN?S ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. AND SHE REASSURED ADVOCATES THAT SHE WOULD KEEP FOCUSING ON KIDS, EVEN WHILE DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF THE SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH TERRORIST ATTACKS.
005 23 now more than ever we should understand nothing is more important to us and the future of our nation than the security, health, and wellbeing of our children. (applause)
SHAHEEN MADE THE SPEECH JUST AFTER THE RELEASE OF A REPORT ARGUING THE STATE COULD BENEFIT ECONOMICALLY BY REDUCING CHILD POVERTY. THE STUDY WAS SPONSORED BY THE CHILDREN?S ALLIANCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. IT CONCLUDED THAT IF THE STATE REDUCED CHILD POVERTY BY 10 PERCENT THIS YEAR, IT WOULD GAIN 73-MILLION DOLLARS THROUGH INCREASED REVENUES AND CUTS IN WELFARE SPENDING. HOWEVER, THE STUDY DID NOT CALCULATE EXACTLY HOW ONE WOULD REDUCE CHILD POVERTY, OR HOW MUCH THAT WOULD COST. ELLEN SHEMITZ OF THE CHILDREN?S ALLIANCE CO-EDITED THE REPORT. SHE HOPES TO USE IT TO WIN SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS LEADERS.
What we found is that the business community was the most effective lever. If we can get the business comminity to understand the importance of investing in children, they would then be able to help us convince policy leaders.
ANY EFFORT TO INCREASE SPENDING ON CHILDREN WILL REQUIRE SUPPORT FROM REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THE NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE. ASSISTANT DEPUTY SPEAKER KEITH HERMAN OF MILFORD AGREES INVESTING IN CHILDREN CAN PAY OFF. BUT HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY ISN?T SPENT WILLY-NILLY.
I think there are a lot of pgms the state is funding that we don?t have a good handle on. So we?re spending money and I think there are existing programs we could be utilizing in a more efficient manner.
HERMAN QUESTIONS THE GOVERNOR?S EMPHASIS ON BENEFITS FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS. HE?D LIKE TO SPEND MORE MONEY ENCOURAGING BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE DAYCARE.
In terms of incenting employers to provide onsite childcare I don?t think a lot is being done. Its still basically how do we get kids into existing programs that are away from the parents.
HERMAN ADDS ANY EFFORT TO IMPROVE EDUCATION SHOULD ALSO FOCUS ON GETTING PARENTS MORE INVOLVED. FOR NHPR NEWS, I?M TRISH ANDERTON.
