Washington Superintendent Urges 100% Funding Restore for Dolly Parton Book Program After $12 Billion Shortfall
Updated
Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 25
Washington Superintendent Urges 100% Funding Restore for Dolly Parton Book Program After $12 Billion Shortfall
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 25
Summary
Chris Reykdahl on Tuesday asked Governor Bob Ferguson and lawmakers to fully restore Washington’s share of funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library after Parton’s death, casting it as a way to honor her legacy.
The appeal targets cuts made as lawmakers faced a $12 billion budget shortfall; the state had covered 50% of book costs before the program was removed from the 2025 budget in some areas.
Spokane County lost access after the state funding was stricken, ending a roughly three-year effort by United Way of Spokane County to send one free book each month to children from birth to kindergarten.
Philanthropic grants announced last month are expected to restore access for about 40,000 children, with Roots & Wings committing $3 million over two years and statewide enrollment projected to top 100,000 once coverage is fully restored.