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Tenn. Democrats Want Pre-K Expansion

Tennessee’s education commissioner says he doesn’t plan to request funds for expanding pre-kindergarten classes, but democratic leaders say they plan to speak with Governor Bill Haslam about considering an expansion. Commissioner Kevin Huffman says the program will require an additional 2 million dollars just for routine cost increases. Haslam has asked state departments to cut 5 percent in spending as a fallback. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner says the pre-K classes for at-risk children are needed. He plans to speak with the governor to consider legislation to expand them. Tennessee’s voluntary pre-K program was last expanded in 2008.

Whitney grew up listening to Car Talk to and from her family’s beach vacation each year, but it wasn’t until a friend introduced her to This American Life that radio really grabbed her attention. She is a recent graduate from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where she studied journalism. When she’s not at WKMS, you can find her working on her backyard compost pile and garden, getting lost on her bicycle or crocheting one massive blanket.
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