HLS 19RS-2657 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 171
BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes May 21, 2019, as Early Ed Day at the state
capitol and commends Ready Louisiana
1 A RESOLUTION
2To recognize Tuesday, May 21, 2019, as Early Ed Day at the state capitol and to commend
3 Ready Louisiana.
4 WHEREAS, more than two-thirds of young children in Louisiana have both parents,
5or their single parent, in the workforce; and
6 WHEREAS, childcare costs are comparable to annual tuition rates paid to a public
7college; and
8 WHEREAS, in Louisiana, childcare breakdowns have been demonstrated to have a
9substantial impact on workforce and productivity, and cause more than sixteen percent of
10parents of young children to quit their jobs, almost fourteen percent to turn down a
11promotion, and more than seven percent to be fired; and
12 WHEREAS, childcare issues have resulted in more than $1.1 billion in losses for
13Louisiana's economy; and
14 WHEREAS, Ready Louisiana is a coalition of more than sixty business, educational,
15advocacy, parent, and community organizations that seeks adequate funding for quality and
16affordable early child care and education in Louisiana; and
17 WHEREAS, members of the Ready Louisiana coalition are committed to working
18together to ensure that young children have access to high-quality early care and education
19that meets their needs, prepares them for success in school, and allows their families to train
20and work for the betterment of their families; and
Page 1 of 3 HLS 19RS-2657 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 171
1 WHEREAS, ninety percent of brain development happens between birth and age
2four; and
3 WHEREAS, because the brain is built in these early years, children who begin school
4behind their peers generally remain behind them for the remainder of their school years; and
5 WHEREAS, in recent years, Louisiana has cut its only state-administered early care
6and education program for children, the Child Care Assistance Program from serving almost
740,000 children in 2009 to serving 15,000 children today; and
8 WHEREAS, only fifteen percent of potentially eligible young children under age
9four in Louisiana can access a publicly funded early care and education program; and
10 WHEREAS, at present, the Child Care Assistance Program has a waiting list of over
113,500 children, and there are an additional 2,000 children who are authorized to benefit from
12the program but are unable to do so because of lack of funding; and
13 WHEREAS, in Louisiana, less than one-half of one percent of state general funds are
14spent on early care and education; and
15 WHEREAS, research has demonstrated a thirteen percent return on state investment
16in quality early care and education programs; and
17 WHEREAS, the over sixty organizations from across Louisiana that comprise Ready
18Louisiana are working to provide access to high-quality early learning programs that will
19improve child outcomes, strengthen the state's families and the workforce, and build
20Louisiana's economy.
21 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
22Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Tuesday, May 21, 2019, as Early Ed Day
23at the state capitol and does hereby commend Ready Louisiana for its efforts to improve
24early care and education for children in Louisiana.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
26Ready Louisiana.
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HR NO. 171
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 171 Original 2019 Regular Session Thomas
Recognizes May 21, 2019, as Early Ed Day at the state capitol and commends Ready La.
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