That's alot of babysitting

by: Jason Springer

Wed Sep 02, 2009 at 10:30:00 AM EDT

Describing the state's investment in pre-school programs as one of the most important measures of his administration, Gov. Jon Corzine Tuesday announced the state will surpass 50,000 pre-school enrollments for a record number 51,100 children to be guided in programs this year.

The governor made the announcement at the grand opening of a new 10-classroom Plainfield pre-school financed through the African American Fund of New Jersey.

"While many tough budget decisions had to be made this year, the easiest of all decisions was to protect education," Corzine said. "The foundation of New Jersey's economy is its highly talented and well educated workforce which starts with our investment in early childhood education. Quality pre-school initiatives strengthen the state's workforce, support jobs for those who provide services and prepare students for a brighter economic future. I remain committed to ensuring that all students across the New Jersey have access to high-quality, full-day pre-school programs."

For his part, Chris Christie's surprisingly feisty and seemingly effective opponent Steve Lonegan was crystal clear that state funding of preschool is a bad idea on any level. Who knows, maybe Christie felt he needed to demonstrate that he was just as much a conservative as Lonegan. Maybe that's why he said the following about Governor Jon Corzine's support of the State Supreme Court's recent ruling that state funding of preschools should be expanded from the 31 urban Abbott districts to more than 80 school districts in suburban areas; "He's (Corzine) decided the government should baby-sit children? It's simply wrong."