PA Budget is Not a Guessing Game

Aug 6, 2015

LESS IS LESS

Numbers don’t lie. Governor Wolf’s proposed budget would invest an additional $410 million in schools, with over $44 million coming to suburban districts in Southeast PA. The budget passed by the legislature and vetoed by the Governor underfunds Southeast PA schools by $33 million. It also fails to account for the disproportionate cuts felt by lower-income districts over the past four years.

Click here to see how your school district fares under the differing state budget proposals.

DO NOT PASS GO

Public schools can’t catch a break. Five years since lawmakers did away with charter reimbursement, they have once again passed a budget with no relief for districts struggling to pay the costs of charter tuition. Reinstating a fair funding formula with charter reimbursement would save districts in the four suburban counties over $45 million next year. On top of that, lawmakers failed to enact simple reforms that could save Southeast districts an estimated $73 million in cyber costs. Click here to see what these missed opportunities cost your district.

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Call your legislator today and ask them to stop playing games with our children’s futures. We need a budget with $410 million to build stronger schools and reduce inequalities.

Find you legislator here.

Attend a Community Budget Meeting

Philadelphia students cannot afford fewer teachers or other support staff. City Council can vote to prevent those cuts. Speak up on behalf of students! Attend one (or more) of the upcoming public events and tell councilmembers, “No cuts to schools!” Sign Up, Show Up, Speak Up because Our Kids Are Worth It. Need help with your testimony? Check out our testimony as well as these talking points. We can also help – reachout to frangyp@childrenfirstpa.org. Click the image to download a PDF that you can share.

Postcards: Print, Sign & Share

These postcards are available for your community group or organization to print and share with your members. Postcards can be dropped off to 990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 600 or you can scan and send to info@childrenfirstpa.org. We also have printed postcards available to pick up at our office. Click the image to download a PDF that you can share.

Lower Travel Costs! Options are available.

The Mayor’s proposed tax on ride share companies will protect public schools and ensure students have the resources they deserve. If ride share companies choose to pass these costs directly onto riders, there are options for individuals with disabilities to help lower their travel costs. Click the image to download a PDF that you can share.