NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam says he's considering a funding increase for the state's public pre-kindergarten program, a move that would put him at odds with some fellow Republicans in the Legislature.

The governor told The Associated Press in an interview this week that Tennessee's improving revenue picture could allow the state to resume pre-K expansion. The pre-K program is currently available to at-risk children — education jargon for those eligible for free and reduced lunches.

Haslam's Democratic predecessor Phil Bredesen had called for making pre-K available to any family that chooses to enroll their child, but those plans were put on hold because of the recession.

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville is among several Republican lawmakers who have been vocal critics of the pre-K program.