Summary
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Editorial: Pence Turned Down An Opportunity To Get $83 Million In Federal Funding For Indiana’s Pre-K Program. In an editorial the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette wrote, “State of the State scorecard […] TOSS-UPS Pre-K: Pence wants to continue funding pilot pre-kindergarten program in several counties, including Allen. He isn’t, though, seeking to expand the program, and in the fall he turned down the opportunity to get the program $83 million in federal funding.” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 1/16/15]
Indiana Was One Of The Two States Eligible For The Most Amount Of Money From The Grant.
Indiana Was One Of Two States Eligible For The Most Money From Federal Grant. According to the Indianapolis Star, “He surprised many last week when The Indianapolis Star obtained an email showing he had decided not to submit the application last week by the earlier deadline. Indiana is one of two states eligible for the most money out of the grant, which is aimed at improving preschool infrastructure.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/21/14]
The Pence Administration Argued That Accepting The Grant Would Subject The State To “Federal Intrusion,” But Could Not Specify Would That Intrusion Would Be
Matthew Tully Column: The Pence Administration’s Statement “Does Not Point To Specific Issues With The Federal Rules” For The Grant. In a column for the Indianapolis Star, Matthew Tully wrote, “The statement does not point to specific issues with the federal rules but notes that ‘we must be vigilant as we design the program the Indiana way and avoid the pitfalls that too often accompany untested and unproven objectives in federal policy.’ Reached Thursday afternoon, Bain insisted the work toward more preschool would continue.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/17/14]
Pence Spokeswoman Said That Pence Was Concerned About Additional Conditions That Come With Federal Grants. According to the Associated Press State & Local, “A Pence spokeswoman, Christy Denault, told the Star that Pence was concerned about additional conditions that come with federal grants. Advocates seeking the grant have estimated it could have helped Indiana serve up to 2,000 more children from low-income families, the Star reported. The grant application also would have targeted millions of dollars toward improving the state’s pre-K infrastructure, such as by funding informational portals to help parents learn about high-quality preschool options.” [Associated Press State & Local, 10/17/14]
Pence Said That Not Applying For The Grant As A “Painful Decision” But The Right One
Pence: “This Was A Tough Call, And Sometimes If You Do The Right Thing It Can Still Be A Painful Decision.” According to the Indianapolis Star, “Gov. Mike Pence wants to explain himself. That’s a good thing; after the past week, he certainly needs to do so. By the time Pence called me late Monday afternoon, five days had passed since word had leaked about his decision to quietly kill the state’s bid for a federal preschool grant that could have brought Indiana up to $80 million over the next four years. The decision has earned Pence a flood of deserved criticism, and it’s been a source of deep disappointment among early learning advocates - a group that Pence claims membership in. ‘This was a tough call,’ he said, ‘and sometimes if you do the right thing it can still be a painful decision.’” [Indianapolis Star, 10/22/14]
Response
Matthew Tully Column: Pence’s Administration “Made The Surprise, Last-Minute And Largely Unexplained Decision Not To Apply For A Federal Education Grant That Could Have Brought Indiana Up To $80 Million More To Spend On Preschool Programs For Low-Income Students.” In a column for the Indianapolis Star, Matthew Tully wrote, “After years of frustration among early learning advocates, and after decades of watching other states lead on a crucial piece of the education puzzle, it's been wonderful to see a change in behavior in Indiana. Then came Thursday, and word that Gov. Mike Pence's administration had made the surprise, last-minute and largely unexplained decision not to apply for a federal education grant that could have brought Indiana up to $80 million more to spend on preschool programs for low-income students. That would have been several times more money than the state has committed to spending under a Pence-led pilot program.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/17/14]
South Bend Tribune Editorial: Pence’s Decision To Not Apply For A Federal Grant For Pre-School Funding Was A “Costly” Mistake. According to an editorial from the South Bend Tribune, “Gov. Mike Pence’s surprising decision last year not to apply for a federal education grant that could have brought Indiana up to $80 million to spend on preschool for low-income youngsters was a costly one for Hoosier children and families.” [Editorial – South Bend Tribune, 12/3/15]
Indianapolis Star Editorial: Pence’s “Sudden Step Back Is A Hard Blow For The State. And Worse, For Its Children And Their Families.” According to an editorial by the Indianapolis Star, “But that argument is perplexing given that Indiana previously had applied for the grant; the federal government rejected the state’s bid a year ago. And state officials, including several inside the Pence administration, had spent months working on a new application. By all indications, Indiana had an excellent chance this time around of receiving the federal money. Pence’s decision not to try came very late in the game. Mike Pence, once a skeptic about the value of early childhood education, has taken major steps forward on the issue in the past two years. He was beginning to lead on the issue in a way that no previous Indiana governor had shown. His sudden step back is a hard blow for the state. And worse, for its children and their families.” [Editorial – Indianapolis Star, 10/19/14]
Evening News And Tribune Editorial: “It Was A Mistake To Not Pursue This Funding From The State. Since Pence Decided To Do Just That, He Should At Least Explain In Detail His Reasoning For Doing So.” According to an editorial published by the Evening News and Tribune, “A Pence spokeswoman, Christy Denault, told the Star that Pence was concerned about additional conditions that come with federal grants. The administration failed to elaborate on those conditions, so how can the public know what strings are attached to the federal dollars? And even if there are stipulations that come with the grant, they would have to take the form of ropes, not strings, to make it not worth pursing a grant which could help put kids on the path to success. In our minds, it was a mistake to not pursue this funding from the state. Since Pence decided to do just that, he should at least explain in detail his reasoning for doing so.” [Editorial – Evening News and Tribune, 10/18/14]
Early Childhood Education Advocates And Large Employers In Indiana Criticized Pence For Not Applying For The Grant. According to the Indianapolis Star, “Many major early childhood education supporters, including large Indiana businesses Eli Lilly and Co. and Kroger, said Pence erred in stepping away from the grant opportunity.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/21/14]
Pharos-Tribune Editorial: Pence Suggested An Increase Of Funding For Education But Most Of The Funding Would Go Toward Private School Vouchers And Charter Schools. In an editorial Pharos-Tribune wrote, “Gov. Mike Pence has suggested an increase in school funding in his budget proposal released Thursday. But, there is a catch: Most of that would go to private school vouchers and charter schools. ‘The governor’s plan presented to legislators would increase school funding by 2 percent, or $134 million, in the first year of the state budget, and then by 1 percent in the second year,’ reported The Associated Press. ‘It would give $1,500 more per student for charter schools at an estimated cost of $41 million over the two years. It also lifts the school voucher program’s limit on per-student funding, which the Pence administration projects will cost $4 million yearly.” [Pharos-Tribune, 1/13/15]
2012: Pence Voted Against The FY 2013 Democratic Budget, Which Spent $80 Billion On Education And Job Training Programs. In March 2012, Pence voted to oppose spending $80 billion on education jobs as part of the Democrats’ proposed budget resolution covering FY 2013 to 2022. According to Budget Committee Democrats, “The Democratic budget includes the President’s request for $80 billion for education jobs initiatives to promote jobs now while also creating an infrastructure that will help students learn and create a better future workforce.” The vote was on an amendment to the House budget resolution replacing the entire budget with the House Democrats’ proposed budget; the amendment failed by a vote of 163 to 252. [House Vote 150, 3/29/12; House Budget Committee Democrats, 3/28/12]
2010: Pence Voted Against Providing Money To States To Prevent Teacher Layoffs And Continue Higher Level Of Federal Medicaid Assistance, Paid For By Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes And Ending A Food Stamp Benefit Increase In 2014. In August 2010, Pence voted against a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would provide $16.1 billion to extend increased Medicaid assistance to states and $10 billion in funding for states to create or retain teachers’ jobs. The costs would be offset by changing foreign tax provisions, ending increased food stamp benefits beginning in April 2014 and rescinding previously enacted spending.” The vote was on a motion to concur with the Senate amendment to the bill. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 247 to 161; the bill was then sent to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 518, 8/10/10; Congressional Quarterly, 8/10/10; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1586]
Pence Called For A Pre-K Voucher Program For Indiana’s Neediest Families. According to the Evansville Courier & Press, “Pence said he will work with the General Assembly to propose a prekindergarten voucher program for Indiana’s neediest families. He said the program would be voluntary and be usable for the school year or summer preceding kindergarten at public or private providers. Families with household incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level, which for a family of four is $43,567, would be eligible.” [Evansville Courier & Press, 12/6/13]
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Editorial: Pence Turned Down An Opportunity To Get $83 Million In Federal Funding For Indiana’s Pre-K Program. In an editorial the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette wrote, “State of the State scorecard […] TOSS-UPS Pre-K: Pence wants to continue funding pilot pre-kindergarten program in several counties, including Allen. He isn’t, though, seeking to expand the program, and in the fall he turned down the opportunity to get the program $83 million in federal funding.” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 1/16/15]
January 2014: Pence Believed The Best Pre-K Program Was A “Prosperous Family” That Provided “Enrichment In The Home.” According to the transcript of Mike Pence’s State of the State address obtained via Political Transcript Wire, “Now, I’ll always believe the best pre-K program is a prosperous family that is able to provide the kind of enrichment in their home that every child needs and deserves. But the reality is that’s not the case for many Indiana children.” [Political Transcript Wire, 1/15/14]
Tribune-Star Editorial: Pence Turned Down More Than $20 Million From A Federal Preschool Development Grant, Calling It An “Federal Intrusion.” In an editorial Tribune-Star wrote, “Pence even turned down an infusion of more than $20 million from a federal preschool development grant, calling it an ‘federal intrusion.’ Pence explained his reasons for saying no to a federal grant that would have expanded his fledgling pre-K program in an Indianapolis Recorder interview. Pence added, ‘I do expect in the future, we’ll look for that opportunity to expand to more Hoosiers.’ Indiana has a $2 billion budget surplus, hails itself as ‘the fiscal envy of the nation,’ and has an unemployment rate below the national average. In what fiscal atmosphere will the state be ready to educate these needy youngsters?” [Tribune-Star, 1/11/15]
Pence Said That He Supported School Choice For Over 20 Years Because It Allowed Underprivileged Youths Access To Schooling That “Serves Their Needs Better” Than Public Schools. According to The Madison Courier, “Pence said he has favored school choice for 20 years and supports the education reforms that are newly in place in Indiana. School vouchers give underprivileged children access to education that ‘serves their needs better’ than public schools, he said.” [Madison Courier, 8/16/11]
September 2012: Pence “Quietly” Rolled Out An Education Policy Platform That Advocated Pushing Forward With An Expanded School Voucher Program and Merit-Based Teacher Pay System Started Under Governor Mitch Daniels. According to The Associated Press State & Local Wire, “Republican Mike Pence said Friday he’ll push forward with changes to Indiana’s education system started under Gov. Mitch Daniels in a quietly rolled out education plan that supports expanding the state’s school voucher program and improving performance of teachers and students. The proposal mentions improving graduation rates and establishing a School Leadership Academy for talented educators-in-training though it offers few details. The plan offers the first look at Pence’s goals for education in a state that has seen vast changes under Daniels, ranging from the nation’s broadest school voucher program to a merit-based pay system for teachers and new reading standards for third-graders. Pence said he supports expanding school choice and believes high-performing teachers should be financially rewarded and enlisted to recruit and train their peers. ‘We need high-quality teachers to come alongside their peers to pass on effective learning methods and experience. Just like every successful high school athlete needs a good coach, our teachers, particularly our new teachers, could use good coaches too,’ the congressman said in a statement. The Pence campaign quietly released the plan Friday, sending it out via email. Previous proposals have been delivered in high-profile speeches, like his proposal to cut the income tax, or in well-advertised press conferences.” [Associated Press State & Local Wire, 9/7/12]
April 2013: Pence Signed Legislation Allowing Thousands More Eligible Students To Immediately Attend Private School With A State-Paid Voucher. According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, “Sen. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City, pointed to the work of Pence’s staff on the voucher bill as a high point. The legislature ended up with a moderate expansion allowing thousands more eligible students to immediately attend private school with a state-paid voucher. ‘The governor was very active in advocating for the expansion of vouchers. That’s a significant step forward for school choice,’ he said. Pence released a statement late Friday applauding this and other education changes. ‘These bills will give our Hoosier students more opportunities for the kind of education that will help them be successful,’ he said. ‘From expanding educational options for low- and middle- income families to taking steps to address key administrative priorities regarding higher education affordability and on-time completion, all Hoosier students and their families now have better educational options.’” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 4/28/13]
Pence Said He Would Seek To Expand Vouchers. According to the Associated Press State & Local, “The governor framed his education proposals as a peace offering to Ritz. ‘We’ll also need to fix what’s broken in education in Indiana. We’ve all seen the headlines about the State Board of Education, seen the confusion, even the friction at the highest levels of state government,’ Pence said. Pence also said he would seek to expand vouchers and said he was signing on to a legislative effort to rewrite the state’s school-funding formula. But he offered few details for most proposals in a 30-minute speech in which he sometimes had to remind the audience to applaud.” [Associated Press State & Local, 12/4/14]