Funding for quality pre-kindergarten programs matters to more than students and families. Additional funding is vital for the state’s economy, said business and civic leaders Thursday.

A new report says Pennsylvania is not making the grade when it comes to funding Pre-K programs. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children says its study found the commonwealth ranks in the bottom half, 18 out of 30 states, that make public investments in Pre-K programs.

Former governors Ed Rendell and Mark Schweiker stopped in Doylestown Wednesday to promote a statewide campaign to push for more high-quality pre-kindergarten education programs.

A former Westmoreland County lawmaker who sponsored the state law that became the model for the national Children’s Health Insurance Program is going on the offensive online to save the program.