Dant Chesser fights for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Today, Feb. 19, State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville) supported an amendment to the state budget that would have reinstated funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Parton’s early literacy program mails free books to children under the age of 5 regardless of income or location. The program grew to all 92 counties in Indiana with a matching grant of $6 million in 2023. 

Dant Chesser gave the following floor speech in support of the program: 

“I fully support restoring and increasing state funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I’ve received more calls from Hoosiers in my area about restoring this funding than any other cut in the state budget. As of 2023, one in five third graders lacked basic reading skills. This program is a much-needed investment in Indiana’s future. 

“Two years ago, the General Assembly expanded this program statewide to make books available to children under five in every Indiana zip code. Dolly’s Library is free to the children enrolled, and local Imagination Library partners only pay 50% of their local program cost with the remaining 50% paid by the state. 

“As we consider the role of public funding to support Hoosier families, I implore you to consider how we foster a culture of lifelong learning. It starts with the family. Helping families establish a love of reading is the best way to spark the fire of gaining the knowledge contained in books. Future educational metrics, future workforce readiness, and future entrepreneurial goals – many of these priorities already passed out of this chamber, depend upon our success in early childhood. I urge your support of this amendment.”