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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowRepublican Gov. Eric Holcomb says it will be a joy to sign into law an expansion of Indiana's preschool pilot program.
The measure passed the House 81-16 Friday and the Senate then approved it 31-19.
Holcomb says the bill provides access to high-quality early education for "thousands" of poor families. It was one of the governor's top priorities.
The proposal by Republican Rep. Robert Behning of Indianapolis adds 15 counties to the original five-county program and increases spending by $9 million. It sets aside another $1 million for an online preschool program.
Critics say the pilot should be expanded more broadly. They also oppose letting the families of preschoolers in the pilot obtain private school vouchers for kindergarten.
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