The House-passed measure is “a comprehensive plan that will correct inequities related to cyber statutes, but would also inject billions of dollars into Pennsylvania‘s chronically underfunded schools, offer property tax relief in communities that have endured too much burden and help us begin to fulfill our constitutional mandate to adequately and equitably fund public schools,” he added.
Sean Vereen, president of Philadelphia Heightsa nonprofit education advocacy group, described the legislation as a good down payment.
“Ultimately, it’s going in the right direction.” Vereen said. “It’s going to put more resources in the hands of schools. More work will have to be done over the next 5-10 years to get this to where it needs to be. “We shouldn’t be at the bottom of the list of states in (education) spending.”
Under the legislation, most school districts in the state will receive more funding.
The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate.
Most Republicans voted against the measure, which passed 107 to 94. State Rep. Robert Leadbeter, R-Columbia County, and other members of his party said they wanted to focus more on reforming public schools in rather than simply increasing funding.
As an indication of how much is at stake for the city, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, City Council Speaker Kenyatta Johnson and several education stakeholders, including School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. and Community College of Philadelphia President Guy Generals, wrote a letter to Shapiro and the General Assembly urging them to fully fund the adequacy gap established by the Basic Education Funding Commission.
“The General Assembly has the opportunity this year to end the education system that has denied students across the state, and here in Philadelphia, their fundamental right to an education that prepares them to succeed,” the letter states.
According to the letter, the city contributes more than $1.8 billion in local taxes to support education.
On the Republican side, Senate lawmakers are reviving voucher legislation, known as the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) program, which would provide $100 million in taxpayer money for school tuition. private schools for students in the state’s lowest-performing public schools.
Last year, Shapiro, who supports PASS, vetoed the legislation to break a stalemate in the previous budget session, when House Democrats refused to walk away.
Critics include the School District of Philadelphia and PFT, who say PASS would divert money from an already underfunded public school system. Most Democrats, plus state Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Philadelphia, also oppose PASS.
Despite opposition, hip-hop mogul Jay-Z is funding briefings in Philadelphia in support of the PASS program, which has been championed by billionaire Jeff Yass, a major Republican political contributor, who has spent millions of dollars on promote it.
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