By Clay Wertheimer / Herald Forum
Washington, D.C. is thousands of miles away from Washington state. So, does all this talk about separation of powers among president, Congress, and courts really matter? Well, if you are the Imagine Children’s Museum or a preschooler in Snohomish County the answer is yes, itmatters.
President Trump, on March 14, determined that the Institute of Museum and Library Science (IMLS) is “unnecessary.” The IMLS is a government agency that is the primary source of federal funding for our nation’s museums and libraries.
As a result of his decision, Imagine Children’s Museum received a letter this month informing it that further funding of its Little Science Lab program is terminated. Trump decided that it is unnecessary to spend funds already approved by Congress on a program for our county’s preschoolers and their caring adults.
The Little Science Lab encourages children’s curiosity about the natural world and develops skills to get them ready for school. With the help of a three-year, $250,000 grant from the IMLS, Imagine Children’s Museum created free weekly sessions on weather, magnets and bees. The IMLS grant allowed the expansion of Imagine’s program to include libraries in Darrington and Everett, preschools in Stanwood and Arlington, and monthly family nights at the museum’s downtown Everett location.
When the President ordered the shu down of the IMLS in Washington, D.C. he saved 0.0046 percent of the federal budget but lost an estimated $50 billion of positive economic impact from our nation’s libraries and museums. More importantly, here at home, he denied an opportunity for our children to get ready for school.
As president of Imagine Children’s Museum Board of Directors I am appalled that our country’s executive thinks he has the right to destroy a program that was funded by Congress for the benefit of our kids. I plan to protest the shutdown of the IMLS to the president’s office, to our members in Congress, and share the news on social media. I hope supporters of Imagine Children’s Museum will join me and send similar messages. These funds were appropriated by Congress and the president should not have the power to take them away from children and amilies in Snohomish County.
Dr. Clay Wertheimer is president of the Imagine Children’s Museum Board of Directors.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
