SB1 Reactions, Video and Press Coverage

Statement from PSBA on the passage of SB 1 from the Senate Education Committee, 3/1/2011

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is disappointed in today's action by the Senate Education Committee to approve SB1, legislation that calls for the use of tax dollars to pay a student's tuition to attend a nonpublic or private school. The association remains opposed to SB 1, noting that it creates a system that is unaccountable, unaffordable, unpopular, unproven and unconstitutional

Read more: http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/details.asp?id=1667

Piccola & Williams Applaud Committee's Endorsement of SB 1

HARRISBURG – The Senate Education Committee took a historic and monumental step today as it endorsed legislation sponsored by Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin/York) and Senator Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) reigniting the debate on school choice in Pennsylvania by giving parents the right to choose the best school for their child, regardless of school district or residential zip code

Read more: http://piccola.org/press/2011/0311/030111.htm

Link to video (1:58) of March 1^st Senate Education Committee Meeting and text of 3 amendments adopted:

http://piccola.org/education/2011/030111/agenda.htm

Posted on Tue, Mar. 1, 2011

Pa. school voucher bill passes key committee

By Adrienne Lu, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

A controversial proposal to allow school vouchers in Pennsylvania cleared a key legislative committee on Tuesday.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20110301_Pa__school_voucher_bill_passes_key_committee.html

State plan for school vouchers advances

By Jodi Weigand
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, Wednesday, March 2, 2011

It likely will be at least another month before the full Senate takes up the first school voucher bill to begin moving through the state Legislature in nearly a decade.

Read more: State plan for school vouchers advances - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_725231.html#ixzz1FRHFn7AC

School vouchers clear first hurdle

Senate panel advances bill, but fight is just starting on school choice, which could cost $1 billion a year

By John L. Micek, ALLENTOWN MORNING CALL HARRISBURG BUREAU

10:45 p.m. EST, March 1, 201

A bill that would allow some parents to use taxpayer-funded vouchers to send their children to the school of their choice has cleared its first legislative hurdle. But Tuesday's vote by a state Senate panel portends a protracted and emotional fight.

http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-school-vouchers-vote-20110301,0,353998.story

Link to Senate Appropriations Committee Member information:

SB1 will next be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee.  If your senator is on the committee please consider contacting them.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/cteeInfo.cfm?cde=3&body=S