Georgia could expand pre-k plan under federal plan

ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia and other states could get billions of dollars over the next decade to expand pre-kindergarten programs.

Georgia could expand such programs to 4-year-olds from moderate-income families under President Obama's 2014 budget proposal.

The president's plan was released Wednesday. It calls for nearly doubling the federal tobacco tax to support a $75 billion investment in pre-kindergarten and other education initiatives for children as young as infants.

The White House plan is based, in part, on Georgia's often-heralded pre-k program which is funded by lottery proceeds. It serves about 84,000 4-year-olds.

In February, Obama visited College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center in Decatur to pitch the plan -- called "Preschool for All." It was first unveiled in the president's State of the Union address.

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