Republican lawmaker criticizes Governor's approach to early childhood education

Intro:	A top Republican lawmaker says Missourians lose when Governor Jay Nixon awards early education grants
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Wrap: A top Republican and former teacher says Governor Jay Nixon needs to stop bypassing the legislature when it comes to funding early childhood eduction.

Nixon announced Tuesday that a Jefferosn City day care is getting a four hundred thousand dollar grant through the Department of Economic Development.

House Education Appropriations Chairman and Chillicothe Republican Mike Lair says he's skeptical about how Nixon awards grants.

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Description: "Who are these people who are choosing where that six million dollars go. Are they education experts? Do they know they'll get the most bang for their buck there? Or is this just a way to get around the appropriations process?"

Independence Representative and Democrat Ira Anders says he'll settle for any new funding, regardless of its type.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Matt Kalish.

Intro:	Two former educators and current lawmakers want more early education funding for Missouri schools
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Wrap: Democratic Governor Jay Nixon's decision to award a four hundred thousand dollar investment to a Jefferson City child care center has restarted the conversation on funding early education in Missouri.

Republican Representative and former high school teacher Mike Lair says grants to individual schools isn't the solution.

He wants a comprehensive, statewide solution.

Democratic Representative Ira Anders, who's also a former teacher, agrees but wouldn't turn down an investment.

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Description: "Hopefully what will happen is we will see the benefit of this from coming out of that and that will encourage people to realize boy we need to do this more than just in isolated areas."

The grant is part of a Department of Economic Development program.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Matt Kalish.

Intro:	Governor Jay Nixon's decision to award a $400,000 grant to a Jefferson City child care center could restart the debate over pre-kindergarten funding.
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Wrap: The chairman of the House Education Appropriations committee wants to fund early childhood education.

Just not the way Democratic Governor Jay Nixon and some Democrats want to.

Nixon announced Tuesday that a local Jefferson City child care center will be recieving a four hundred thousand dollar grant.

Chillicothe Republican Mike Lair, who's a former high school teacher, says funding individual schools through tax breaks or grants isn't what's best for Missouri.

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Description: "To pick and choose winners and losers in this case in education funding is in at least in my opinion counter productive."

Another former teacher, Independence Democrat Ira Anders, says grants are better than nothing and could be the start of a statewide program.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Matt Kalish.