A new budget proposal by Republican lawmakers in Indiana would see funding cut to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which puts books into the hands of thousands of kids across the state — but the country star is trying to get them to reconsider.
“We are hopeful that Governor [Mike] Braun and the Indiana Legislature will continue this vital investment by restoring the state’s funding match for local Imagination Library programs,“ Parton’s rep said in a statement to the Daily Beast on Tuesday.
”The beauty of the Imagination Library is that it unites us all — regardless of politics — because every child deserves the chance to dream big and succeed.”
The program, which was started by the country music superstar and philanthropist in 1995, puts free books into the hands of millions of kids across the country each month. In Indiana alone, more than 15,000 kids under the age of 5 receive free books from the program, the South Bend Tribune reported.
But a new biennial budget proposal authored by state Rep. Jeffrey Thompson (R) and co-authored by Republican Reps. Greg Porter, Jack Jordan and Craig Snow, would see funding for the literacy program gutted.
Last year, the state spent $2.5 million on the program, and the Indiana State Library requested $4 million to expand the program this year.
Instead, Braun’s recommendation is to stop funding the program entirely. The state’s usual match of 50% funding was slashed to zero in the new budget proposal. (The charity group United Way helps finance the other 50%, according to the Tribune.)
Bill Purcell, president and CEO of Crossroads United Way, which covers three counties in the state, told the Tribune that his group, along with The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, another local nonprofit, would have to finance the other 50% if the state cut its funding.
Rose Meissner, president of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, told the Tribune that Imagination Library provides the books at a discounted rate. It costs the state about $1 per month per child.
Republican lawmakers who authored the bill did not respond to requests for comment. Braun’s office also did not respond to a request for comment, but in a statement on Friday, the governor thanked his fellow Republicans for the budget proposal.
“I remain committed to tightening the belt of state government and will continue to search for more opportunities for efficiencies as we await the April forecast,” Braun said in part.
Former Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb praised Imagination Library in a January IndyStar opinion piece, writing, “One of these days, Dolly Parton will pay us a visit to celebrate the statewide embrace of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, another tool to help our kids read.”
A spokesperson for the Imagination Library did not return a request for comment.
Paige Skinner contributed to this report.