In the letter, Pence stated. “Since the On My Way Pre-K pilot program has come online, we’ve served 2,300 kids in the five pilot project counties. I am committed to growing this program using state and available federal resources.” Governor Pence signed the legislation into law in 2014 that created On My Way Pre-K, which was the first-ever state-funded prekindergarten pilot program in Indiana history.
Since Pence sent out the press release regarding his letter to Health and Human Services, several media outlets and opponents of Pence have responded, indicating that Governor Pence has reversed his previous position on expanding the program. Democratic state schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz stated that "Over two years ago when the Governor 'expressed interest' in seeking Pre-K funding, the Department spent hundreds of hours applying for $80 million in federal funding only to have the Governor change his mind and cancel the application at the last minute. John Gregg’s spokesman Jeff Harris referred to Pence’s letter as “an election year stunt.”
