News Digest :: June 8, 2019
Legislature Pennsylvania’s children face lead perils everywhere. A new state report offers ideas to protect them. https://www.inquirer.com/news/toxic-city-lead-poisoning-children-philadelphia-schools-asbestos-20190607.html State Lieutenant governor opens State House...Santarsiero, Murt Hold Press Conference on Parental Education for Eating Disorders
HARRISBURG – June 7, 2019 – On Tuesday, June 11th, from 10:00 to 10:30 am, state Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Tom Murt (R-152) will be holding a press conference on the Lieutenant Governor’s Balcony in...Sabatina: Karen’s Law Rally (SB 123)
HARRISBURG – June 7, 2019 – A rally will be held Monday, June 10 for Karen’s Law (SB 123) at 11:00 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda. The rally will highlight the bipartisan support for the bill sponsored by Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia). Crime Victim Advocates...Senate Democratic Wrap-Up for the Week of June 3, 2019
The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 275, which amends the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act by changing the name of the “Early Intervention Program” to the “Strategic Management Planning Program.” House Bill 275 became Act 6 of 2019. *** The Senate...News Digest :: June 7, 2019
Legislature Restore PA requires 20 years of natural gas production. Some progressive legislators aren’t ready to sign on Restore PA requires 20 years of natural gas production. Some progressive legislators aren’t ready to sign on Democratic Pa. Senate leader calls on...State Senate Hearing in Philly on Ride-hailing Companies
PHILADELPHIA – June 6, 2019 – At the request of state Senator Anthony Hardy Williams (D- Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing on ways to improve the accessibility, safety and reliability and working conditions for...Policy Committee Hearing on Improving Transportation Network Companies
Antiquated Basic Education Funding Formula is Hurting Lehigh Valley Homeowners and Students
The following Op-Ed is from Sen. Lisa Boscola (D – Lehigh/Northampton):
The Basic Education Funding Formula is the single largest education funding stream in the commonwealth’s budget. Until 2014, each year when the General Assembly passed a budget it distributed basic education funding dollars to our school districts based on what they received the year before — regardless of whether the student population grew or shrank. This led to large disparities throughout the state when it came to where money went versus where it was needed. Some school districts received over 70 percent of their funding for their school programs from the state while other school districts received as low as 30 percent. As you can imagine this led to significant inequality in property tax burdens for homeowners.