Philadelphia: Ideologues Press On to Expand Charters Despite Deepening PA Budget Crisis
The state of Pennsylvania is now more than 100 days beyond its June 30 budget deadline. Last week the Republican dominated Pennsylvania House of Representatives rejected tax increases proposed by the state’s new Democratic governor, Tom Wolf. The Philadelphia Inquirerreported, “In a major blow to Gov. Wolf’s agenda, the state House on Wednesday soundly rejected his plan to increase funding for Pennsylvania schools through tax hikes, stirring deeper uncertainty about how or when the state’s 99-day budget impasse would end. The measure, which sought to raise the personal income tax and impose a new levy on natural gas drilling, was defeated, 127-73. Republicans were united against it; nine Democrats broke ranks to join them. The proposal needed 102 votes to pass.”
A privately published research report from Wells Fargo noted that, “The continuing budget impasse for Illinois and Pennsylvania is playing out negatively for education in these states… The timing of state revenues is particularly challenging for education, as K-12 education and higher education have already started the new academic year… Pennsylvania State Auditor Eugene DePasquale noted that the budget stalemate is forcing 17 school districts and two intermediate units to borrow… Many of the schools are drawing down reserve funds.”
A lawsuit has been filed by plaintiffs across the state declaring that the state’s school funding system fails to meet the “thorough and efficient” and equal protection clauses in Pennsylvania’s state constitution. The state’s Supreme Court is expected to hear this case early in 2016.
So, what’s the response in Philadelphia, a district that has continued to feel the impact of cuts to state funding under former governor, Tom Corbett, and a district that has in the past three years been forced to close 24 of its public schools and lay off thousands of teachers, Philadelphia: Ideologues Press On to Expand Charters Despite Deepening PA Budget Crisis | janresseger:
