Montgomery, AL – An advocacy group for Alabama's children says sustaining funding for the state's pre-kindergarten program and legislation banning smoking in most public places are among its priorities for the state Legislature in the upcoming session.
The group, VOICES for Alabama Children, said in an e-mail to supporters Monday that its priorities for legislators in what is expected to be a tight budget year are to sustain funding for a number of programs to help children. Those include pre-kindergarten, programs that boost proficiency in math and reading, provide subsidies for parents who can't afford day care and for a children's insurance program.
Another priority for VOICES is a proposed bill to lower the mandatory age for sending children to school from 7 to 6. The Legislature begins its 2012 session Feb. 7.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)