Voinovich, Brown introduce joint bill

From this week's "Inside Washington" column:

Ohio's two senators appear to be working together: The two just introduced their first joint piece of legislation.

The bill from George Voinovich, a Cleveland Republican, and Sherrod Brown, a Lorain Democrat, is aimed at bolstering early childhood education by offering grants to help states attract, train and retain high-quality early childhood teachers.

A 2004 Economic Policy Institute study found that 42 percent of early childhood educators don't have any college-level education, and fewer than one in three have a bachelor's degree. They earn less than $20,000 a year, according to the Center for Childcare and the Workforce.

"This legislation ensures our youngest students start off on the right foot," Brown said. Voinovich agreed, saying the bill is "vital" to recruiting the "best and brightest teachers."