Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, which provides books to young readers in several states, was left out of the state budget proposed by Indiana Republicans without explanation, the South Bend Tribune reported Wednesday.

The Indy Star reported that the program “has been hailed as helping to raise Indiana’s child literacy ranking from 19th to 6th place nationwide.” The newspaper reported that Indiana was funding a 50% match of funds for the program with the United Way and community foundations financing the other 50%.

Indiana aims to continue its gains in child literacy. And the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has been touted as a key component. But now

Indiana Republicans have proposed cutting state funding for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, which provides books to young kids in an effort to promote literacy. According to the South Bend Tribune,

Dolly Parton has called on Indiana’s governor to reverse course on plans to do away with her popular “Imagination Library” program. The country singer, who started the book gifting program to encourage early literacy,