Obama’s tough sell on early childhood spending

When President Obama releases his 2015 budget today, he’s expected to include a request for $56 billion in new spending. It’s for something called The Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative which would, among other things, expand preschool and Head Start programs by tying them to increased defense spending. But just yesterday, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan released a 204-page report criticizing the government’s anti-poverty programs, including Head Start. That could mean a tough sell for additional early childhood spending, even if it’s offset through tax changes and other spending cuts.