ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 171
BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS
A RESOLUTION
To recognize Tuesday, May 21, 2019, as Early Ed Day at the state capitol and to commend
Ready Louisiana.
WHEREAS, more than two-thirds of young children in Louisiana have both parents,
or their single parent, in the workforce; and
WHEREAS, childcare costs are comparable to annual tuition rates paid to a public
college; and
WHEREAS, in Louisiana, childcare breakdowns have been demonstrated to have a
substantial impact on workforce and productivity, and cause more than sixteen percent of
parents of young children to quit their jobs, almost fourteen percent to turn down a
promotion, and more than seven percent to be fired; and
WHEREAS, childcare issues have resulted in more than $1.1 billion in losses for
Louisiana's economy; and
WHEREAS, Ready Louisiana is a coalition of more than sixty business, educational,
advocacy, parent, and community organizations that seeks adequate funding for quality and
affordable early child care and education in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, members of the Ready Louisiana coalition are committed to working
together to ensure that young children have access to high-quality early care and education
that meets their needs, prepares them for success in school, and allows their families to train
and work for the betterment of their families; and
WHEREAS, ninety percent of brain development happens between birth and age
four; and
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WHEREAS, because the brain is built in these early years, children who begin school
behind their peers generally remain behind them for the remainder of their school years; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, Louisiana has cut its only state-administered early care
and education program for children, the Child Care Assistance Program from serving almost
40,000 children in 2009 to serving 15,000 children today; and
WHEREAS, only fifteen percent of potentially eligible young children under age
four in Louisiana can access a publicly funded early care and education program; and
WHEREAS, at present, the Child Care Assistance Program has a waiting list of over
3,500 children, and there are an additional 2,000 children who are authorized to benefit from
the program but are unable to do so because of lack of funding; and
WHEREAS, in Louisiana, less than one-half of one percent of state general funds are
spent on early care and education; and
WHEREAS, research has demonstrated a thirteen percent return on state investment
in quality early care and education programs; and
WHEREAS, the over sixty organizations from across Louisiana that comprise Ready
Louisiana are working to provide access to high-quality early learning programs that will
improve child outcomes, strengthen the state's families and the workforce, and build
Louisiana's economy.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Tuesday, May 21, 2019, as Early Ed Day
at the state capitol and does hereby commend Ready Louisiana for its efforts to improve
early care and education for children in Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Ready Louisiana.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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