Sacramento, California - Assembly Bill 47 relating to the expansion of the state preschool program passed the State Assembly and now heads to the Governor’s desk for approval. The Preschool For All bill would expand on last year’s commitment from the Governor and Legislature to expand state preschools for all low income families who do not have access to one year of state preschool or transitional kindergarten. AB 47 is being authored by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty and co-authored by local Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella).

“Investing in quality early education is proven to be highly effective, and as a strong supporter and co-author to this bill, I believe that all children should have access to universal preschool and an early childhood education. I applaud Assemblymember McCarty’s attention to this important issue as this would be of great benefit to our children of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys,” said Assemblymember Garcia.

AB 47 requires the state budget to include an appropriation for the state preschool program sufficient to provide all children who are eligible for the program, and whose parents wish to enroll them, the opportunity to enroll in the program in the year before they enter kindergarten.