Bush Education Budget
Threatens Between the Lions
Among the programs threatened by president Bush’s education budget is the television show Between the Lions. The series currently receives some $4 million annually from a $16-million allocation to the Public Broadcasting System for educational shows to help disadvantaged children learn to read under a program called Ready to Learn. However, the Washington Post reported May 6, the Bush administration hopes to eliminate earmarked federal programs in favor of bloc grants for local officials.
Between the Lions, set in a library run by a family of lions, is designed to help teach children ages 4 to 7 to read. The show and Ready to Learn depend almost wholly on federal support. “There’s no way of replacing this money through the private sector or any other sources,” PBS Senior Vice President for Education Jinny Goldstein told the Post.
Proponents of bloc grants are reluctant to carve out exceptions, fearing they may lead to further reversals. Nonetheless, House Republicans and Democrats have worked out an agreement, approved by Bush aides, to preserve funding for Between the Lions. However, reported the Post, similar efforts in the Senate have stalled.
Posted May 14, 2001.
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