Iowa Republicans want to use a $318 million surplus to pay for corporate tax breaks. And to do that, they need to make some cuts in next year's budget.

So, what do they want to cut? Preschool. Yep, you read that right. They'd like to keep little kids from learning their ABC's so they can put money in the hands of business owners.

Iowa Republican and House Appropriations Chairman Scott Raecker doesn't see early childhood education as an incredibly important part of a child's life foundation. In fact, he sees the difference between spending money on kids and giving corporations a tax break as an abstract political deliberation.

"That's a philosophical debate we'll have to have," Raecker said.

What Raecker and other Republicans don't seem to realize is that good quality early childhood programs will ensure the future of his state. Research shows that preschool programs create a host of positive gains for children and society, including narrowing the achievement gap, reducing drop-out rates building a more qualified workforce. In fact, in Oklahoma, business leaders have realized this and have started campaigning for good preschool programs. Research from the Rand corporation shows that every dollar spent on high-quality preschool programs, "generate a return to society ranging from $1.80 to $17.07."

Clearly Raecker and his colleagues have the foresight of pea-soup fog. Kids who benefit from quality preschool programs are more likely to grow up to be better workers and taxpaying citizens. That's more money in revenue, less money spent on policing and incarceration.

Tell Iowa Republicans to stop funding corporations at the cost of kids.

Photo credit: kaylhew