Calling education the key to Pennsylvania's long-term economic prosperity, Governor Edward G. Rendell today warned against drastic budget cuts in early childhood education and school funding.

Speaking at the Today's Child Learning Center, the Governor said such cuts only serve to hurt children and families. He again made clear he would not support any plan that proposes to do so.

"The state budget impasse is really a fight for our children's future," said Governor Rendell. "I refuse to agree to a budget that makes devastating cuts in early childhood education and in school funding. While doing so might bring about a quick end to this impasse, it would come at the expense of the next generation of Pennsylvanians; and that would be the worst thing we could do for our economy in the long-run."

Through Senate Bill 850, Senate Republicans proposed cutting funding for essential early childhood education by $93 million, which would eliminate access to these programs for 17,000 families. The Senate's plan cut funding for the successful Pre-K Counts program and Head Start by half -- $51.8 million and $19.7 million, respectively. It also cut funding for Child Care Works, Keystone Stars, and the Nurse Family Partnership program.

The Governor said the budget impasse, now 46 days long, is creating hardships for schools and families across the state, but said the delay ensures these programs are properly funded when a final budget is enacted.

Pennsylvania is also unable to offer any funds to early childhood providers operating Pre-K Counts, Head Start or Keystone STARS programs.

"Pennsylvania deserves to have a budget in place quickly, but none of us will be satisfied unless it is the right plan for our state's future," said Governor Rendell. "I refused to enact Senate Bill 850 in its entirety because we can -- and we must -- do better. Today's pre-kindergartners are the future leaders of our communities and engines of our economic growth. We cannot afford to shortchange them, or ourselves.