Governor Haslam Considers Pre-K Expansion

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam is considering a funding boost for the state's public pre-kindergarten program, a move that would put him at odds with some fellow Republicans in the Legislature. 

Haslam says the improving revenue picture could allow the state to resume pre-K expansion. The program began in 1998 as a $10 million dollar pilot project and expanded under former Democratic Governor Phil Bresden’s administration. Republican state Representative Bill Dunn says it would cost around $500 million dollars to expand the program. The state Education Department did not respond to requests for information on how much the state is currently spending on the program.