(WKYT) – Kentucky state lawmakers are considering a change to how Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is funded. The program provides children free, age-appropriate books each month from birth to age 5.
Resolution and amendment at odds
In January, Democratic Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong filed a joint resolution in the Senate with the goal of finding ways to increase participation in the program.
However, an amendment filed Wednesday by Republican Sen. Michael Nemes would prohibit the state general fund from being used to fund the Imagination Library.
Democratic Party chair responds
Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Eldridge released a statement saying the program is not a partisan issue.
“This is approaching comic book levels of cartoon villainry. Why on earth would Senate Republicans defund an Imagination Library program started by Dolly Parton that helps inspire a love of reading for Kentucky kids? There are 21 states that have opted into this program including our neighbors in Tennessee, West Virginia and Missouri. This is not partisan. This is about our Kentucky children getting a book every month to help them dream big, expand their minds—and ensure they show up to elementary school able to read.”
Governor Beshear was asked about the resolution and the amendment during his Team Kentucky briefing Thursday.
“It gets our youngest children books regularly. It encourages parents or caregivers to read to our children. And we know the more you read to your young children the better they start in their educational journey,” said Beshear, D-Kentucky.
Beshear also said if Sen. Michael Nemes’ amendment stand, it will cause the program “to collapse.”
“It’s a pretty simple question. Do you want all kids in the commonwealth regularly sent to them to read, or not. I think it’s a pretty simple question,” he said.
WKYT reached out to Sen. Armstrong’s spokesperson for comment but had not received a response