Attorney General Steven Rowe visited with the editorial board at the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel today to push early-childhood development and education. His theme was that "investing" attention, resources (private and public money) and programs toward children before they reach elementary school will pay off. We'd have fewer school-aged children in remedial classes and special education if we did this, he said. We'd have a better caliber of higher-ed students, eventually. The Maine economy could benefit, 15-20 years from now.

Of course, the money to start these things would have to come from somewhere. Rowe said the state should commit more resources to this, though he did not cite a specific dollar amount.

Rowe confirmed that he will run for governor to succeed John Baldacci. No surprise there. Early childhood education and day care would be priorities for him, he said.

Of the presidential field, Rowe said Democrats John Edwards and Barack Obama have done the best job pointing out the need for early-childhood education. He declined to endorse a candidate. He said, "I won't."

You can read the new report from a Maine commission that looked at this issue here:

www.maine.gov/legis/opla/planformechild.htm