1. In an effort to increase upward mobility, a pre-kindergarten program was established in 2004 to provide early educational experiences for children in low income households. Many of these children are at risk of failure in school, and early intervention would provide a foundation that could increase their chances of success in school. The Republican leaders, however, cut funding for the program and reduced substantially the number of preschoolers who could participate in the program.
  2. The North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program provides physical therapy, speech therapy, and other needed care for infants with severe developmental disabilities. For many of the participants the program means the difference between thriving in school and struggling, between speaking and not speaking. In spite of the tremendous benefits the program offers, the Republican leaders cut $8,000,000 in funding from the program this year and is expected to cut an additional $10,000,000 next year.
  3. At the federal level, Republican leaders have cut funding for the food stamp program, which helps provide nutritious food for children in low income families. According to the Kids Count report of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, about 580,000 children in North Carolina, about 26% of the children in the state, live in poverty. Actions by the Republican leaders – reducing unemployment benefits, eliminating the earned income tax credit, increasing the taxes many low income families pay, the refusal to expand Medicaid, cuts to early childhood funding – are likely to increase this number.

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