State Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City talks with Waukee resident Kennedy Haag, a visitor to the Iowa Senate, during a pause in debate on Thursday, May 26. Kennedy is very excited and proud because today is her graduation day from one of the state’s quality preschool programs for four-year-olds. |State Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City talks with Waukee resident Kennedy Haag, a visitor to the Iowa Senate, during a pause in debate on Thursday, May 26. Kennedy is very excited and proud because today is her graduation day from one of the state’s quality preschool programs for four-year-olds. Public opposition to education cuts recently convinced Governor Branstad to abandon his efforts to deeply cut early education throughout the state. Disagreement over the cuts continues to prevent the Legislature and the Governor from agreeing on next year’s state budget, which is to begin on July 1, 2011.