Wednesday, November 29, 2017

PA Ed Policy Roundup Nov. 29: Congress’s failure to fund CHIP bringing it down to the line in PA

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Keystone State Education Coalition
PA Ed Policy Roundup Nov. 29, 2017:
Congress’s failure to fund CHIP bringing it down to the line in PA


Lancaster Online by HEATHER STAUFFER | Staff Writer November 28, 2017
Teresa Miller, acting secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services, is walking a tightrope this holiday season. Funding for CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program that covers 178,000 children statewide — roughly 10,000 of them in Lancaster County — is running out and the program will have to shut down about the end of January 2018 unless Congress acts. She wants to give families at least 30 days notice if that happens. But she also doesn’t want to scare them unnecessarily, and the latest she’s heard from Washington is that Congress may take action right before Christmas on the program that has historically enjoyed strong bipartisan support. So for now, she said Monday, staffers are drafting letters to families and hoping they don’t have to send them. And they’re looking for ways to keep CHIP going longer if federal funds don’t come through — something Miller said would be tough. “Almost 90 percent of the funding comes from the federal government,” she said. “I don’t see any way that the state would be able to make up that money.” Helen Jones, director of social work at SouthEast Lancaster Health Services, said in an email that CHIP ending would be devastating. “Many children need inhalers for asthma or they require other health-sustaining medications,” she wrote. “We are heading into flu season; it is not a good time for children to lose their insurance.”

Children’s health program imperiled by Republican tactics
MSNBC By Steve Benen11/28/17 08:00 AM
The Republican-led Congress was supposed to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by Oct. 1. As regular readers know, that was the day current funding for the program, which has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support, expired. The deadline passed, however, because GOP lawmakers were focused on trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Health care advocates initially hoped lawmakers would act soon after, and the missed deadline would be inconsequential. That was 59 days ago, and as of now, there is no solution and Republicans don’t appear to be working on one. As Slate noted, the real-world consequences are starting to emerge.
Colorado has notified residents that the federally funded Children’s Health Insurance Program will shut down in early 2018 if Congress doesn’t act to renew funding that expired on Sept. 30; the state appears to be the first to formally make such an announcement. A state press release says its program has enough money to continue operating until Jan. 31 of next year.
Since the CHIP program is administered at the state level, the funding shortfall has different effects in different places, but estimates indicate that as many as four million children nationwide could lose coverage if it’s not renewed.
There’s long been a buffer built into the system, which is why no one panicked on Oct. 1. Everyone involved in the debate understood that states would move some money around until lawmakers got their act together. In fact, this wasn’t the first time federal policymakers missed a CHIP deadline.

How to contact Pennsylvania lawmakers about the Republican tax overhaul
Morning Call by Laura Olson Contact Reporter Call Washington Bureau November 28, 2017
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There’s another big legislative vote coming on Capitol Hill this week, as Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate aim to advance their proposal to overhaul the federal tax code. Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators have been clear on where they stand on the bill: Republican Sen. Pat Toomey has been among those involved in the bill’s drafting and has been a spokesman in support of its provisions, which he says will boost growth and allow Americans to keep more of their income. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has joined other Democrats in opposing the bill, which he has characterized as aiding the nation’s wealthiest taxpayers with fewer benefits for middle- or lower-income Americans. But constituents tracking the bill and how it will affect their finances can still share their views with both senators as the chamber heads toward a vote later this week.
Here’s how to contact Sen. Toomey:
·         Call: 610-434-1444; 202-224-4254
·         Email: https://www.toomey.senate.gov/contact
And to contact Sen. Casey:
·         Call: 610-782-9470; 202-224-6324
·         Email: https://www.casey.senate.gov/contact
Toomey’s staffers said earlier this year that he receives a weekly report on the incoming calls, emails and letters. Casey's staff said he also gets an update each week. This week’s Senate tax vote likely won’t be the end of the debate. If the Senate advances its tax bill, then GOP leaders from the House and Senate would need to sort out which provisions would be included in a compromise measure, which would then need to be voted on in both chambers of Congress.

The Biggest Tax Scam in History
New York Times Opinion by Paul Krugman NOV. 27, 2017
Donald Trump likes to declare that every good thing that happens while he’s in office — job growth, rising stock prices, whatever — is the biggest, greatest, best ever. Then the fact-checkers weigh in and quickly determine that the claim is false. But what’s happening in the Senate right now really does deserve Trumpian superlatives. The bill Republican leaders are trying to ram through this week without hearings, without time for even a basic analysis of its likely economic impact, is the biggest tax scam in history. It’s such a big scam that it’s not even clear who’s being scammed — middle-class taxpayers, people who care about budget deficits, or both. One thing is clear, however: One way or another, the bill would hurt most Americans. The only big winners would be the wealthy — especially those who mainly collect income from their assets rather than working for a living — plus tax lawyers and accountants who would have a field day exploiting the many loopholes the legislation creates.

Pro-growth reform cuts taxes for most in Pa. and stimulates job growth | Sen. Pat Toomey
Inquirer Opinion by Pat Toomey Updated: NOVEMBER 28, 2017 — 10:23 AM EST
Since before the founding of the republic, every generation of Americans has left to its children a greater, wealthier, and better nation than the country it inherited, with more opportunities and an even higher standard of living. Today, sadly, many parents are no longer confident that their children’s lives will be better than their own. And while there are reasons for optimism about our economic future, many Americans understandably feel opportunity and success are just beyond their reach. For nearly a decade, wages have been stagnant and income inequality has grown. Although the recession ended in 2010, the economy has struggled, never rebounding as was the historic norm. Our country’s gross domestic product has averaged a meager 2 percent growth rate, far below the 3.45 percent average annual rate since 1965. Among the causes of these economic maladies are: a collapse in new business creation; a collapse in capital investment; and a collapse in productivity gains — all of which are predicates for an expanding economy and rising wages.

“Because what every CEO knows but won’t tell you is this: A tax break for their company simply means a fatter bottom line. Not jobs. Not investment. Just more money in the pockets of the folks like me. That’s bad policy, and it’s time to set the record straight.”
La Colombe founder: What every CEO knows but won't tell you about the proposed tax bill | Opinion
Inquirer Opinion by Todd Carmichael, For Philly.com Updated: NOVEMBER 28, 2017 5:32 AM
Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) is right about the tax bill currently working its way through Congress when he says, “Congressional Republicans have taken great pains to spin their tax scheme as great for the middle class, but a few marginal changes don’t change the fact that their plan is fundamentally a massive giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of the middle class.” And every CEO knows he’s right. How do I know what CEOs are thinking? I’m one of them. I’ve grown a Philadelphia-based small business into a business with cafes and industrial facilities in six states and the District of Columbia. I’ve placed canned draft lattes on market shelves in every corner of the country. And I employ hundreds of people in almost every income tax bracket. Along the way, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to grow a profitable business that values the people at its core and the communities where we do business. And I can tell you what no other CEO wants to tell you: Casey is right when he says that a half-trillion dollars of corporate tax giveaways proposed by the GOP aren’t going to do a thing for the middle class, or create a single job.

Governor Wolf Announces $5 Million in Safe Schools Grants
Governor Wolf’s Website November 28, 2017
Harrisburg, PA – Building on efforts to emphasize safety in schools and in classrooms, Governor Tom Wolf today announced that $5 million in Safe Schools Initiative Targeted Grants have been awarded to nearly 140 schools, police departments, and municipalities to support safer schools. “Whether students are learning in one of our large cities or a rural community, they need a secure and supportive environment to do their best in the classroom,” said Governor Wolf. “This funding enables schools and communities to have the resources they need to keep students safe, and it builds on our commitment to kids, parents and teachers across the commonwealth.” The Safe Schools Initiative Targeted Grant program assist schools with:

State releases $5 million in school safety grants (with list)
Tribune Democrat By John Finnerty jfinnerty@cnhi.com November 28, 2017
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that $5 million in Safe Schools Initiative Targeted Grants have been awarded to nearly 140 schools, police departments, and municipalities across the state. “Whether students are learning in one of our large cities or a rural community, they need a secure and supportive environment to do their best in the classroom,” said Wolf. “This funding enables schools and communities to have the resources they need to keep students safe, and it builds on our commitment to kids, parents and teachers across the commonwealth.” The $5 million is mostly split between two pots, one directed at equipment and programs and another that helps cover the cost of putting police officers in schools. The amount the state spends on school safety hasn’t changed since 2013-14, said Steve Robinson, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania School Board Association. “We've been supportive of this grant money and anecdotally, schools appreciate having an additional source of money to help cover costs for school safety upgrades and/or school resource officers,” Robinson said. “Any funding put toward the safety of our students and staff is money well spent. Could more be done with more money? Sure, but you can say that about almost anything.”

“Also incorporated was a proposal sponsored by Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester) that would split any amount of the tax generated in excess of $150 million between each of the two state pension funds – the Public School Employee Retirements System and State Employee Retirement System – in a dedicated stream in order to help pay off the $70 billion combined unfunded liability.”
Seven floor amendments adopted to natural gas severance tax bill
City and State PA By: JASON GOTTESMAN NOV 29, 2017 AT 12:01 AM
After nearly two full days of pre-Thanksgiving debate, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives considered 23 of the nearly 400 amendments filed to House Bill 1401, legislation that would implement a volumetric natural gas tax in Pennsylvania. With the House not returning to voting session until Dec. 4, here is a look at the amendments approved by the House during the still ongoing second consideration process last week. Five of the seven already-adopted amendments were approved last week, some of which are seen as big giveaways to the drilling industry.

“The industry has also spent $7.7 million on campaign contributions since 2007. Senate President Pro Temp Joe Scarnati has received $483,500, according to Vitali’s calculations.”
Lawmaker: Natural gas lobby too influential in severance tax debate
State Impact BY SUSAN PHILLIPS NOVEMBER 27, 2017 | 7:15 PM
Debate continues in the state Legislature over a severance tax on natural gas drillers.
A Democratic lawmaker from Delaware County says the current debate over the severance tax is unduly influenced by the natural gas industry, which has spent millions lobbying lawmakers. With more than 200 gas industry lobbyists registered in Harrisburg, State Rep. Greg Vitali says the industry has spent $3.7 million on lobbying the Capitol this year alone.  Using campaign finance reports, lobbying disclosure reports, lobbying registration statements and lawmakers’ statements of financial interests, Vitali has regularly tracked industry spending.  He says in order to pass a severance tax, House members would have to agree to changes in the way the Department of Environmental Protection regulates the industry. “This is all because of the huge clout of the natural gas industry and the contributions they give to the legislature and the money they spent lobbying the legislature,” he said. The current severance tax deal includes speeding up natural gas permit reviews and curbing the state’s efforts to reduce methane emissions. Vitali says the changes to DEP’s permitting rules would hurt its ability to regulate. “They are so influential in this building that In order to get a severance tax of less than one percent,” he said, “we have to give this to them as a way to make amends.”

A new Pa. debate on a natural gas tax smells a little fishy | John Baer
Philly Daily News by John Baer, STAFF COLUMNIST  baerj@phillynews.com Updated: NOVEMBER 28, 2017 — 5:40 PM EST
What’s up with the state House debating and maybe even voting for a severance tax on natural gas? Why now? The budget, with all its taxing, spending, and borrowing is done. (Not well done, mind you, but done.) A severance tax, Gov. Wolf’s white whale, has long been a nonstarter. The Senate passed one acceptable to Wolf in July. The House refused to act on it. Yet the House just spent a few days before Thanksgiving debating a tax on extracting natural gas from Marcellus Shale, and plans to continue that debate when it returns to session Monday. Something’s fishy. This comes after a decade of failed efforts pitting Democrats supporting the tax against Republicans opposing it, and many rural lawmakers from drilling areas against many eastern lawmakers from no-shale zones. It comes after not taxing extraction seemed settled law, since Republicans control the legislature, and despite Pennsylvania being the lone large gas-producing state (second only to Texas in 2016) without such a tax.
What gives? Smells like timing and politics.

“The chapter, part of the Harrisburg-based Fair Districts PA project of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, has had members approaching their municipal leaders seeking to have resolutions in support of House Bill 722 and Senate Bill 22, both of which would end gerrymandering in Pennsylvania by creating an independent citizens commission to draw legislative and congressional maps instead of leaving it to politicians.”
Fair Districts PA’s Beaver County chapter sees support growing for its anti-gerrymandering efforts
Beaver County Times By J.D. Prose Posted Nov 24, 2017 at 6:00 AM
In the six months since it formed, Fair Districts PA’s Beaver County chapter has not only seen its membership grow, but momentum gather for a redistricting lawsuit and stalled state bills intended to take partisan politics out of the map-drawing process for legislative and congressional districts. Michele Morris-Donner, the publicity chairwoman for the local chapter, said the group now has 104 members and voters are increasingly energized, pointing to the higher-than-expected turnout in the Nov. 7 elections. “There just seems to be a lot more activism lately,” Morris-Donner, a Beaver resident, said. “Even our turnout, which was pitiful, was better than expected in Beaver County.” Based on past elections following a presidential election, most observers figured on a turnout of about 20 percent, but Beaver County’s was 29 percent and Lawrence County’s was 29.4 percent. There were mainly municipal races on the ballot, but also a few state court races, including county Judge Debbie Kunselman’s ultimately successful run for state Superior Court.


Pennsylvania state officials will see a pay raise in 2018
Inquirer by MARC LEVY, The Associated Press Updated: NOVEMBER 28, 2017 — 1:00 PM EST
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The salaries of Pennsylvania's 253 state lawmakers, more than 1,000 judges and several dozen top executive branch officials will rise in 2018. The increase amounts to 0.8 percent, a figure tied by state law to the year-over-year change in the consumer price index published by the U.S. Department of Labor for urban consumers in the mid-Atlantic region. The bump takes effect Friday for lawmakers and Jan. 1 for judicial and executive branch officials. It is slightly smaller than last year's increase of 1.3 percent.

Feds raid offices of CEO of Universal Companies
A company spokesman says Universal itself is not a target.
by the Notebook November 28, 2017 — 4:32pm
Federal agents raided the offices of Universal CEO Rahim Islam on Friday while executing a search warrant at his home and his office at Universal Companies’ corporate headquarters.
Universal, the charter school and affordable housing community organization founded by Kenny Gamble, called an emergency meeting of the company’s board, which voted unanimously to place Islam on administrative leave. Universal operates eight charter schools in Philadelphia, serving 4,300 students. The School District's charter school office recommended in 2016 that two of Universal's charters not be renewed – Audenried High School and Vare Middle School. However, the School Reform Commission has yet to take a vote on the issue and these schools remain open. The investigation of Islam “definitely has nothing to do with Universal,” Devon Allen, a spokesman for Universal, told philly.com. “It’s a personal legal matter.”

Are States Changing Course on Teacher Evaluation?
Test-score growth plays lesser role in six states
Education Week By Liana Loewus November 14, 2017 | Corrected: November 28, 2017
Bolstered by new research and federal incentives, experts decided about a decade ago that better teacher evaluation was the path to better student achievement. A flood of states started toughening their teacher-evaluation systems, and many of them did it by incorporating student-test scores into educators' ratings. And while those policies are still in place in a majority of states, there are signs the tide is turning: Over the past two years, a handful of states have begun reversing mandates on using student-growth measures—and standardized-test scores, in particular—to gauge teacher quality. Six states—Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Oklahoma—have now dropped requirements that evaluations include student-growth measures and begun letting districts decide what elements to include in assessing teachers, according to analyses from the Education Commission of the States and the National Council on Teacher Quality.



Register for New School Director Training in December and January
PSBA Website October 2017
You’ve started a challenging and exciting new role as a school director. Let us help you narrow the learning curve! PSBA’s New School Director Training provides school directors with foundational knowledge about their role, responsibilities and ethical obligations. At this live workshop, participants will learn about key laws, policies, and processes that guide school board governance and leadership, and develop skills for becoming strong advocates in their community. Get the tools you need from experts during this visually engaging and interactive event.
Choose from any of these 11 locations and dates (note: all sessions are held 8 a.m.-4 p.m., unless specified otherwise.):
·         Dec. 8, Bedford CTC
·         Dec. 8, Montoursville Area High School
·         Dec. 9, Upper St. Clair High School
·         Dec. 9, West Side CTC
·         Dec. 15, Crawford County CTC
·         Dec. 15, Upper Merion MS (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m)
·         Dec. 16, PSBA Mechanicsburg
·         Dec. 16, Seneca Highlands IU 9
·         Jan. 6, Haverford Middle School
·         Jan. 13, A W Beattie Career Center
·         Jan. 13, Parkland HS
Fees: Complimentary to All-Access members or $170 per person for standard membership. All registrations will be billed to the listed district, IU or CTC. To request billing to an individual, please contact Michelle Kunkel at michelle.kunkel@psba.org. Registration also includes a box lunch on site and printed resources.

NSBA 2018 Advocacy Institute February 4 - 6, 2018 Marriott Marquis, Washington D.C.
Register Now
Come a day early and attend the Equity Symposium!
Join hundreds of public education advocates on Capitol Hill and help shape the decisions made in Washington D.C. that directly impact our students. At the 2018 Advocacy Institute, you’ll gain insight into the most critical issues affecting public education, sharpen your advocacy skills, and prepare for effective meetings with your representatives. Whether you are an expert advocator or a novice, attend and experience inspirational keynote speakers and education sessions featuring policymakers, legal experts and policy influencers. All designed to help you advocate for your students and communities.


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