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Keystone State Education Coalition
PA Ed Policy Roundup for March
4, 2015:
Budget
Coverage and Reactions
The next PA Basic
Education Funding Commission Public
Hearing will be on Thursday, March 12th at 10:00 am in Hearing Room 1, North
Office Building, Harrisburg
In case you missed this ...
As
Philadelphia's Superintendent of Schools, I recommended the approval of more
than 30 charter schools because I thought it would improve educational
opportunity for our 215,000 students. The last 20 years make it clear I was
wrong.
Wolf
seeks billions in higher taxes for schools, tax revamp
HARRISBURG >> In an
ambitious first budget plan, Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday proposed more than $4
billion in higher state taxes on income, sales and natural gas drilling to
support a huge injection of money into schools and property tax cuts as part of
an overhaul of the way public education is funded. Wolf, a Democrat, is also asking a wary
Republican-controlled Legislature to cut corporate taxes by hundreds of
millions of dollars, borrow more than $4 billion to refinance pension debt and
inject new money into business loans, clean energy subsidies and water and
sewer system projects. All told, new aid
for education, plus money to reduce school property taxes, would amount to more
than $4 billion.
Summary
of Governor Wolf's Proposed Education Budget
FY 2015-16
EPLC Education
Notebook Wednesday, March 3, 2015 SPECIAL EDITION
Governor Wolf today delivered
a message to the General Assembly and all Pennsylvanians that offered a state
budget for 2015-2016 and a bold vision for the future of Pennsylvania . His message highlighted education as
"the heart of everything we want to achieve."
Here are education-related
highlights from Governor Wolf's proposal:
Read the full text of Gov. Tom Wolf's budget address
By Wallace McKelvey
| WMckelvey@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on March 03, 2015 at 12:48 PM, updated March 03, 2015 at 1:22 PM
on March 03, 2015 at 12:48 PM, updated March 03, 2015 at 1:22 PM
Here
is the complete text of Gov. Tom Wolf's budget address, as prepared:
Gov. Tom Wolf's first budget:
Everything you need to know (mostly) at-a-glance
By Nick Malawskey |
nmalawskey@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on March 03, 2015 at 11:52 AM, updated March 03, 2015 at 3:40 PM
on March 03, 2015 at 11:52 AM, updated March 03, 2015 at 3:40 PM
The state budget is a massive, dense document of
numbers, line items and appropriations. To try and make it easy, we've
combed through Gov. Tom Wolf's first budget to try and pull out key
facts and figures. Among key
provisions are the calls from the governor to increase the state's sales tax, personal income tax as well
as the Marcellus Shale extraction tax to off-set local property taxes used to
fund public schools in Pennsylvania.
The following series of graphics show the breakdown of Gov. Tom Wolf's
first budget, as well as general budget funding by prior administrations and
funding for key state departments over time.
Wolf budget: What it could
mean for your school district
By Nick Malawskey |
nmalawskey@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on March 03, 2015 at 2:23 PM, updated March 03, 2015 at 9:59 PM
on March 03, 2015 at 2:23 PM, updated March 03, 2015 at 9:59 PM
Gov. Tom Wolf's inaugural budget calls for sweeping
change to Pennsylvania 's
tax structure and, subsequently, the way local public schools are funded. Most school districts will see huge funding increases if
Wolf's budget is ultimately approved by the state legislature this summer. To
see how much your school district could receive in basic education funding (and
does currently) we put together the following chart. You can search by
district, county, or sort entries.
Gov. Tom Wolf budget: His
plan for K-12 education
A strong education system is at the core of creating a state
that can "attract new businesses, retain talent, and grow the middle
class," according to Gov. Tom Wolf.
Having that kind of education system starts with resources, he said in
his first budget address Tuesday. "Schools that teach" were one of
three key pillars in his speech. Here's what you need to know about his
proposals for public education.
Dissecting Wolf's $33 billion
plan for Pennsylvania
WHYY Newsworks Staff MARCH 3, 2015
Gov. Tom Wolf's first budget address put on an emphasis on his
vision for improving Pennsylvania 's
present and its future. He is calling
for a bevy of tax increases in an effort to generate additional funding for
education, property tax relief, and economic development programs in a more
than $33 billion state budget proposal. Reporters
Mary Wilson, Kevin McCorry, Marie Cusick and Emily Previti were at the state
Capitol Tuesday for the governor's address, and they take a look at some of the
specifics in the spending plan.
'Innovative and bold' or an
'attack' on charters? Reactions to Wolf budget plan
the notebook By Allison Welton on Mar 3, 2015 05:05 PM
Was it an “innovative and bold” step forward or a bloody
“attack” on charter schools? After Gov. Wolf’s budget address, some groups
immediately turned up the heat on legislators to “put our money where their
mouths are,” while others took a breath and celebrated a “solid first step”
toward universal pre-K. Here’s our
round-up of reactions from the education world to the governor’s proposals.
School officials pleased by
Wolf budget proposal
KATHY BOCCELLA, INQUIRER
STAFF WRITER LAST UPDATED: Wednesday, March 4, 2015, 1:08 AM
POSTED: Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 2:36 PM
Gov. Wolf's proposal Tuesday for a historic increase in state
education spending was received like a Christmas bonus in March by school
officials in the region, and they said they were especially pleased about what
it might mean for property owners - lower taxes. Some said the governor's proposal to boost
state education aid for every district, and by more than $500 million, could
spare them painful decisions to increase local taxes to pay for rising worker
pensions and other fixed costs. In
recent years, almost every district has raised real estate taxes, which
constitute the bulk of local tax bills.
How would Gov. Wolf's
property tax reform plan cut your school tax bill?
By Sara K.
Satullo | The Express-Times Email the author | Follow on Twitter on
March 03, 2015 at 7:15 PM, updated March 03, 2015 at 7:31 PM
Gov. Tom Wolf proposed
a $3.8 billion property-tax relief initiative in his Tuesday budget address.
He's proposing a 5 percent
natural gas extraction tax and major hikes to the personal income and sales tax
to fund his spending plan. The total
tax burden on average middle-class homeowners would drop by 13 percent under
his plan, Wolf said. Wolf 's $3.8
billion property-tax initiative, including $600 million in casino gambling
revenue, would reduce homeowner and farmstead property taxes more than 50
percent in the 2016-17 school year. Another $426 million would go toward new
$500 rebates for renters with incomes up to $50,000.
Communities with higher tax and poverty rates would receive
proportionately more relief.
'Time for bold change,' Wolf
says in outlining $30B state budget
Trib Live By Brad
Bumsted Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 12:30 p.m.
HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday proposed a more than $30 billion state budget built on a wide-ranging tax restructuring plan that could, if enacted, become the largest tax hike in Pennsylvania history but significantly cut the school property tax. “It's time for bold change,” Wolf said of his plan to eliminate a $2.3 billion deficit by increasing the personal income tax, sales tax, natural gas extraction tax and the tax on tobacco products. His spending plan emphasizes putting money into education. Skeptical Republicans, who control the General Assembly, said they would evaluate his proposals for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which begins July 1. “This budget proposal calls for historic spending, an increase of 16 percent over this fiscal year, with the potential to be the largest tax increase in commonwealth history,” said House Majority Leader David Reed ofIndiana County
HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday proposed a more than $30 billion state budget built on a wide-ranging tax restructuring plan that could, if enacted, become the largest tax hike in Pennsylvania history but significantly cut the school property tax. “It's time for bold change,” Wolf said of his plan to eliminate a $2.3 billion deficit by increasing the personal income tax, sales tax, natural gas extraction tax and the tax on tobacco products. His spending plan emphasizes putting money into education. Skeptical Republicans, who control the General Assembly, said they would evaluate his proposals for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which begins July 1. “This budget proposal calls for historic spending, an increase of 16 percent over this fiscal year, with the potential to be the largest tax increase in commonwealth history,” said House Majority Leader David Reed of
JOINT STATEMENT: General
Assembly must support budget with adequate school funding
PSBA, PAESSP, PARSS, PASA, PASBO, March 3, 2015
As state legislators consider Governor Tom Wolf’s 2015-16
budget proposal, citizens of the Commonwealth are watching to see if their
elected officials will support a quality education for children in every
community. Pennsylvania ’s
major education leadership organizations, representing all 500 school
districts, today called on the General Assembly to approve Governor Wolf’s
budget request and adopt a new state funding formula that will ensure equity
and adequate funding for all schools beginning next school year
PSBA encouraged by public
education investments in Gov. Wolf’s proposed 2015-16 budget
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is encouraged by the
investments in public education Gov. Tom Wolf has outlined in his proposed
2015-16 state budget. Much work needs done to ensure that critical education
funding remains a part of the final budget, and PSBA stands ready and willing
to work with members of both parties in developing a budget that ensures the
future strength of the state’s public schools.
Survey points to more cuts in
Pa.
WHYY Newsworks BY SARA
HOOVER MARCH 3, 2015
School districts across Pennsylvania
say they're struggling to do more with less, according to a recent survey that looks at school budgets. It shows most of the state's school districts
are looking at more tax increases as well as cuts to programs and staff cuts to
keep up with costs for mandates services.
About 64 percent -- or 321 -- of the state's 500 school districts
participated in the annual survey, commissioned jointly by the
Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators and the Pennsylvania
Association of School Budget Officials. The
survey revealed that nearly all of the districts raised property taxes at least
once over the past five years, and 60 percent raised taxes every one of those
years.
PA House Ed Committee
Chairman Smucker Responds to Governor’s Budget Address
Senator Smucker's website March 3, 2015
HARRISBURG — Sen. Lloyd Smucker, (R-Lancaster) Chairman of the
Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement in response to Gov.
Tom Wolf’s 2015-2016 budget address: “As
a reflection of priorities, the budget’s focus on education is
commendable. As the Governor stated, every child in Pennsylvania deserves the opportunity for a
world-class education. “It is
instructive to remember that Pennsylvania
spends more than most states on education, ranking sixth in total dollars spent
(U.S. Census Bureau), and 12th in per-pupil spending (National Education
Association). Pennsylvania
schools spend an average of $14,761 for a student in grades kindergarten
through 12. At the same time, spending per student by school district
varies widely, from a low of $10,134 to a high of $28,298 (Pennsylvania
PSBA Members Only: Annual
Pennsylvania
MAR 4, 2015 • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Join us for a special complimentary members-only Annual
Pennsylvania Education Budget Briefing webinar, Wednesday, March 4 at noon. The webinar features Acting Secretary of
Education Pedro Rivera and PSBA Senior Director of Government Affairs, John
Callahan, who will discuss Gov. Wolf’s 2015-16 proposed budget. You will have
the option to attend live at PSBA’s Headquarters in Mechanicsburg or join us
online through your computer. Both options will allow you to ask questions
during the webinar.
Lawsuit asks the Court to ensure that all
students -- including those living in low-wealth districts -- have the basic
resources they need to meet state academic standards.
Meet Us in Court on March 11th
Education Law Center
On Wednesday, March 11th at 9:30 a.m., the
Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania will hear oral arguments in our school
funding lawsuit which challenges the legislature's failure to adequately
support and maintain Pennsylvania's public school system. This historic case,
which the Education Law Center filed with the Public Interest Law Center of
Philadelphia and pro bono counsel O'Melveny & Meyers, asks the Court to
ensure that all students -- including those living in low-wealth districts --
have the basic resources they need to meet state academic standards. We ask the
court to hear this case and enforce the rights of our children to a
"thorough and efficient" system of public education as guaranteed to
them by our state constitution.
Please come and support us as we fight for vulnerable students and all public school students across the state. The hearing will be held at thePennsylvania Judicial
Center , 601 Commonwealth Avenue , Courtroom 5001
in Harrisburg , PA.
Please come and support us as we fight for vulnerable students and all public school students across the state. The hearing will be held at the
2015 Pennsylvania Budget
Summit
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Hilton Hotel, Harrisburg
Pennsylvania
PA Budget and Policy Center
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center will host its Annual
Budget Summit on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at the Hilton Harrisburg. Join us
for an in-depth look at the Governor's 2015-16 budget proposal, including what
it means for education, health and human services, and local communities. The
Summit will focus on the leading issues facing the commonwealth in 2015, with
workshops, lunch, a legislative panel discussion, and a keynote speech.
Space is limited, so fill out the form below to reserve your
spot at the Budget Summit.
The State of Public Education
Funding in Pennsylvania
Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia Tuesday, March
17, 2015 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
United
Way Building, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-state-of-public-education-funding-in-pennsylvania-tickets-15816877707
Education Voters of PA will
hold a forum about public school funding in Lancaster County Tuesday, March 17,
at 7:00 pm at Millersville University
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
Education Voters of PA will
hold a forum about public school funding in York: Wednesday, March 25th, 6:30pm
to 8pm at the York Learning Center, 300 E. 7th Avenue, York.
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
Education Voters of PA will
hold a forum about public school funding in Cumberland County: Wednesday, April
1, 7:00 pm at the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center, 340 North 21st
Street, Camp Hill.
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/
PSBA 2015 Advocacy Forum
APR 19, 2015 • 8:00
AM - APR 20, 2015 • 5:00 PM
Join PSBA for the second annual Advocacy Forum on April 19-20,
2015. Hear from legislative experts on hot topics and issues regarding public
education on Sunday, April 19, at PSBA headquarters in Mechanicsburg. The next
day you and fellow advocates will meet with legislators at the state capitol.
This is your chance to learn how to successfully advocate on behalf of public
education and make your voice heard on the Hill.
Agenda/Speakers: https://www.psba.org/event/advocacy-forum-day-hill-2015/
Sign-up for weekly email updates from the
Campaign
The Campaign for Fair
Education Funding website
PA Basic Education Funding
Commission website
Thorough and Efficient: Pennsylvania
Education Funding Lawsuit website
Arguing that our state has failed to ensure that essential
resources are available for all of our public school students to meet state
academic standards.
Sign up for National School Boards Association’s Advocacy Network
Friends of
Public Education http://p2a.co/nsbac
Register
Now! EPLC 2015 Regional Workshops for School Board Candidates and Others
The Education Policy and Leadership Center, with the
Cooperation of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) and
Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), will
conduct A Series of Regional Full-Day Workshops for 2015
Pennsylvania School Board Candidates. Incumbents,
non-incumbents, campaign supporters and all interested voters are invited to
participate in these workshops.
Harrisburg Region Saturday, March 7, 2015– 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pennsylvania School Boards Association Headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Boulevard, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Pennsylvania School Boards Association Headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Boulevard, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Philadelphia Region Saturday, March 14, 2015 – 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2 W. Lafayette Street, Norristown, PA 19401
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2 W. Lafayette Street, Norristown, PA 19401
NPE 2015 Annual Conference –
Chicago April 24 - 26 – Early Bird Special Registration Open!
January 4, 2015 NPE 2015 Annual Conference, NPE National Conference
Early-bird discounted Registration for the Network for
Public Education’s Second Annual Conference is now available at this address:
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