Reading Is Fundamental on the budget chopping block

First lady Laura Bush read Goodnight Moon by video hookup at last year’s awards gala for Reading Is Fundamental, a $25 million federal program that distributes books to low-income children. Five months later, President Bush wants to say good night to the program.

Since 1966, the program has distributed 325 million new books to more than 30 million mostly low-income children. Testimonials have come from entertainers and sports figures, such as Houston Rockets basketball star Juwan Howard, who was given books as a child. More than 140 publishers participate.

The White House doesn’t quarrel with the program’s goals. But it says the funds should be awarded under a competitive, merit-based process rather than automatically given to one non-profit group. Read more in USA Today online.