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Jennifer Garner urges lawmakers to fund children’s program

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2015 file photo, Jennifer Garner arrives at the 29th American Cinematheque Awards honoring Reese Witherspoon in Los Angeles. Garner is asking Kentucky lawmakers to spend $1 million on an early-childhood education program. The star of the TV show "Alias" and movies including "Juno" and "Dallas Buyers Club" testified before the House budget committee on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, on behalf of Save The Children. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2015 file photo, Jennifer Garner arrives at the 29th American Cinematheque Awards honoring Reese Witherspoon in Los Angeles. Garner is asking Kentucky lawmakers to spend $1 million on an early-childhood education program. The star of the TV show "Alias" and movies including "Juno" and "Dallas Buyers Club" testified before the House budget committee on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, on behalf of Save The Children. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

By Associated Press February 9, 2016 1 min read

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner is asking Kentucky lawmakers to spend $1 million on an early-childhood education program.

The star of the TV show “Alias” and movies including “Juno” and “Dallas Buyers Club” testified before the House budget committee on Tuesday on behalf of Save The Children.

Garner said the program works well in Kentucky, offering literacy and other development programs for children.

Lawmakers said they support the program but noted the state does not have much money to spend because of shortfalls in public pension programs.

Garner is a native of West Virginia and testified along with Mark Shriver, Save The Children Action Network president and a nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy.

She is also scheduled to meet with Gov. Matt Bevin.