Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Universal Pre-K helps economy, children and parents

Universal Pre-K helps economy, children and parents

Rep. Khan’s H.B. 46 would provide important investment in pre-K

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    March 3, 2026 | 2:08 PM

HARRISBURG, March 3 – High-quality early childhood programs and pre-K are a public investment with the power to change life trajectories for multiple generations, testifiers noted today at a PA House Majority Policy Committee hearing on universal pre-K.

A livestream of the hearing can be found here.

“Universal pre-K is one of the smartest investments Pennsylvania can make,” said state Rep. Tarik Khan, who represents part of Philadelphia and co-hosted the hearing. “In Philadelphia, we’ve already seen that high-quality pre-K improves children’s focus, self-control and early literacy. And we know pre-K boosts graduation rates, expands access to better-paying careers, reduces involvement in the criminal justice system and helps parents stay in the workforce. We intend to do more smart things in Pennsylvania, like investing early, where the returns are strongest. The benefits won’t just help kids next year. They will strengthen our commonwealth for decades.”

Khan has introduced his bill, Increasing Access to Pre-K for PA Kids (H.B. 46), to improve early childhood education in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania forfeits an estimated $6 billion in economic activity every single year by not offering universal pre-K – an investment that delivers short-term and long-term benefits for multiple generations,” said state Rep. Sean Dougherty, who cohosted the hearing and represents portions of Philadelphia. “High-quality early education programs deliver immediate and long-term results for children, and access to affordable programs would also help retain young parents in the workforce and reduce the type of brain drain we have experienced across the commonwealth.”

Testifiers noted working parents are struggling in Pennsylvania, and even middle-income families have difficulty paying for high-quality pre-K.  

“Early childhood education is a great equalizer,” said Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “When we invest early, we reduce economic and social disparities before they widen, we strengthen financial stability for families, and we provide every child the opportunity for success.”

Tuesday’s House Majority Policy hearing featured testimony from Zaina Cahill, the Early Childhood Education policy director at Children First PA; Otis Bullock, the CEO for Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance; and Benjamin Hover, the legislative representative for Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. Photos to be used for publication can be found at https://www.facebook.com/PADemPolicy/.