Laurels to the House Democrats for proposing to increase state spending on early childhood education. The proposal calls for a $40 million jump in funds.

However, it&8217;s far from the $200 million cut in 2003 and the money lost each year since. What really needs to happen is to return the funding to earlier levels.

That said, we are happy to see that lawmakers want to turn the corner and increase spending in an area that reduces government costs later. The better children are prepared for kindergarten, the better they perform in school. And the better children are prepared for life, the better they can contribute to society. The early years &8212; birth to 5 &8212; set the course for behavior and traits for the rest of life, research shows.

Rep. David Bly of Northfield nailed it on the head when said: &8220;An earlier investment in these kids would pay significant dividends for all of us.&8221;

That includes &8220;a more productive workforce, a stronger economy and less social problems,&8221; he said.