Fed's Lacker-early education key for econ growth

NEW YORK, July 27 (Reuters) - Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President Jeffrey Lacker said on Friday that government should invest in early childhood education, which is critical to develop skills and would lead to higher economic growth.

"My position is that if government is going to invest in education at all, it should invest in enhancing early childhood development," Lacker told a conference on early childhood development in Richmond, Virginia. "For me, this is an economic growth issue."

Lacker did not comment on the current economic outlook or monetary policy in his remarks. He is not expected to answer questions on monetary policy at the event.

The Fed is largely expected to keep interest rates steady at its next rate-setting meeting on Aug 7. Lacker is not a voting member of the committee this year.

He dissented four times when he was a voting member last year, calling for higher interest rates to prevent inflation expectations from rising.