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May 8, 2012, 1:50 pm
Representatives Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia) and Mike O’Brien (D-Philadelphia) today announced they plan to introduce legislation in the House that would redirect gaming funds currently going to provide wage tax reductions to the Philadelphia School District to prevent the possible closure of schools in the autumn.
According to the legislators the plan is being floated as an alternative to Mayor Michael Nutter’s plan to increase property taxes to help bridge the $90 million deficit facing the city’s schools. They said Mayor Nutter has warned that if funding is not found, facilities may be unable to re-open for the 2012-13 school year. Rep. Youngblood and Rep. O’Brien’s plan would inject $88 million into the school district’s coffers, and continue for up to five years if necessary.
“We want to make clear that we are not raising taxes with this legislation; we are just redirecting funds from the city’s gaming revenue, ” Rep. Youngblood said in a statement.
Rep. O’Brien advised the plan is currently being vetted with Republican staffers to assess its potential.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
March 5, 2012, 1:46 pm
The House Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing this morning with the Department of Education. Ron Tomalis, Secretary of the Department of Education, fielded questions from committee members on a number of issues including cuts to higher education, cuts to early childhood programs, and the increase in pension obligations. Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 7, 2012, 2:58 pm
Shortly after the Governor’s address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Democrats held a press conference to offer their thoughts on the governor’s proposed budget. Of note, the members decried the proposed cuts to higher and basic education and called for more details on transportation funding. Half a dozen members spoke briefly, each reiterating their concerns with education and transportation funding and prognosticating higher property taxes and higher tuition in the near future.
Look for full budget details in PLS’s Budget Box and in the Capitol Toolbox.
February 7, 2012, 1:33 pm
Republicans respond to Corbett budget
House and Senate Republican leaders today responded positively to the 2012-13 budget proposal laid out by Governor Tom Corbett. Speaking shortly after the conclusion of Gov. Corbett’s annual budget address, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Jefferson) said the proposal is one that “fits the time we are in.”
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) lauded Gov. Corbett for focusing on the private sector in his budget, and the governor also received high marks for introducing for the second year in a row a budget that includes no new taxes.
Noting Gov. Corbett advised he will deal with transportation funding separately and not as part of the General Fund budget, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman (R-Centre) agreed it should be dealt with as a separate issue, and said he awaits the Corbett Administration to release its proposal.
In their remarks the Republican leaders also addressed questions surrounding basic and higher education funding, Keystone Opportunity Zones, and various other policies issues tied to the budget. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story, and ongoing coverage of the 2012-13
Continue reading Republicans praise “disciplined, common-sense” Corbett budget proposal
December 6, 2011, 12:13 pm
Auditor General Jack Wagner held a press conference today to discuss flaws in the state’s funding formula for charter and cyber charter schools. He urged that before education funding is expanded for alternative forms of education, existing flaws in the charter and cyber charter school funding formula need to be addressed. Auditor General Wagner went on to discuss discrepancies in the funding formula, particularly for cyber charter schools. Check the Capitol Toolbox for the full story later today.
November 15, 2011, 3:46 pm
Former Governor Edward Rendell is joined by legislators at a press conference to discuss gains in public education.
Former Governor Edward Rendell was joined by Democratic leaders to discuss the 2011 results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for Pennsylvania public education students. Rendell noted that the report names Pennsylvania as one of only a few states to have made “significant progress” in all grades and subjects from 2003 to 2011. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for further details.
November 15, 2011, 3:35 pm
Otto V. Banks, Executive Director of the REACH Alliance, is joined by (from left to right) Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, son Skyler, Gov. Corbett, and Sen. Anthony Williams at School Choice rally.
Hundreds of students, parents, and advocates gathered in the Capitol Rotunda today in support of school choice in Pennsylvania and to urge passage of SB 1 by the House of Representatives. Speakers included: Governor Tom Corbett, Sens. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin) and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia), Reps. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver), Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-Philadelphia) and Tony Payton (D-Philadelphia), Secretary of Education Ronald Tomalis, Ana Puig of Freedomworks PA, and Dr. Ronald Bowes of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
May 10, 2011, 4:12 pm
House Republicans
The House Republican Caucus today officially announced their budget proposal for 2011-12. According to Republican Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) the plan represents the Caucus’s stance as “fiscal stewards of the hard-earned money of the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.”
Specifically the Republican proposal restores considerable portions of funding to K-12 and higher ed, with state system universities seeing an 85% restoration and state-related institutions receiving anywhere from 51-75% restoration. $223 million is allocated back to K-12 lines.
According to Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph (R-Delaware) much of the funding given back to education was diverted from the Department of Public Welfare, which sees its line cut by $470m. Chairman Adolph defended the cuts, noting DPW is still getting a 1% increase over last year, while Rep. Turzai said the goal is to weed out waste, fraud and abuse from the welfare rolls.
At the press conference the Republican leaders also addressed the educational improvement tax credit (EITC) bill moving through the house, the potential for considering a school voucher bill from the Senate, the expected half-billion dollar surplus in the state coffers, and the legislature’s own budget. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story, and related budget
Continue reading House Republicans unveil budget proposal
May 10, 2011, 11:47 am
The House Finance Committee this morning approved HB 1326, legislation sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) that would remove referendum exceptions instituted in Act 1 of 2006 and require voter approval for school district property tax increases. The measure passed along party lines following a number of unsuccessful Democratic amendments. The committee also took action on several other pieces of legislation at its meeting. PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
May 3, 2011, 1:33 pm
In recognition of the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Educational Improvement Tax, supporters rallied behind the Capitol today. They were joined by several legislators and PDE Secretary Tomalis to touts the successes of the EITC and to call for enactment of further school choice in the form of SB 1.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today.
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