Dolly Parton Urges Indiana Governor to Not Cut for Imagination Library from State Budget
With momentum for governmental funding cuts abound across the United States, one of the many programs that has now found itself on the chopping block is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Indiana — and the country icon is calling on the state to reverse course.
The Imagination Library was created by Parton to help promote childhood reading by sending books to children under 5 on a monthly basis. Beginning in 2023, Indiana pledged to match 50% funding for the initiative (with the charity group United Way funding the other 50%). But now, Governor Mike Braun has recommended reducing the state's contribution to a flat $0.
Through a representative, Parton urged the state to reconsider the decision. 'We are hopeful that Governor Braun and the Indiana Legislature will continue this vital investment by restoring the state's funding match for local Imagination Library programs,' Jeff Conyers, president of the Dollywood foundation, said, per the Daily Beast.
'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,' Conyers continued. 'For the past two years, the State of Indiana has been a proud partner in bringing Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to over 125,000 Hoosier children each month. Together, we've helped nurture a love of reading, given families precious moments of joy, and built a foundation for lifelong learning.'
Parton launched the Imagination Library in East Tennessee in 1995, and it has since expanded across the United States and the world, gifting over 270 million books to date according to its website.
Meanwhile, Parton recently collaborated with Sabrina Carpenter on a new version of 'Please Please Please' released with the deluxe reissue of Short n' Sweet earlier this month. Up next, she'll be featured on two songs from The Wiggles' upcoming country album Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!, due on March 7th.
Dolly Parton Urges Indiana Governor to Not Cut for Imagination Library from State Budget Jo Vito
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