Comedian Will Rogers famously stated “I’m not a member of any organized political party, I’m a Democrat.”
This year Minnesota Democrats upended this stereotype with a cohesive, tightly-organized legislative session that delivered on most of their priorities, despite narrow majorities in both houses.
Think Small, the leading promoter of early childhood legislation, summarized the outcomes for children in the upcoming biennium, which include $280 million to shore up the underfinanced child care industry, $30 million for added child care slots, and $180 million for additional early learning scholarships, which prioritize low income infants and toddlers. This latter appropriation will give approximately 15,000 children opportunities for brain stimulation, many during the crucial first 1,000 days of life.
If conservatives are wincing at the amount of spending, it may help to think of this as an investment in the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.