(RALEIGH) -- State lawmakers are considering a bill to cut funding to the early childhood "Smart Start" program. Former Gov. Jim Hunt started the program nearly 20 years ago.  Pediatrician Dr. Olson Huff is a supporter of  Smart Start and said it should be spared the axe.

"Smart Start has approached the needs of all of the children in the pre-school years, has provided subsidy money allocated through the state to daycare centers to improve their ability to help children and families that needed to have subsidized daycare," said Dr. Huff.
  
Former Gov. Hunt came to the Legislative Building for a news conference Wednesday with business leaders and other boosters of the Smart Start initiative. Gov. Hunt said he was okay with a 5 percent reduction to Smart Start that is included in Gov. Beverly Perdue's budget proposal but suggested more would do harm.