A not-so-secret shared agenda

There were a few recent developments we wanted to share with you this week that filled us with cautious optimism. The through line, of course, is a focus on the needs of children. 

Chronic underfunding of schools wreaks havoc on student success, but it also surrenders school buildings to shambolic, dangerous conditions. Crumbling walls and cracking paint release lead dust on the student body. Exposed asbestos gets into the air too, as does mold.

Just when we thought things couldn’t get worse…it looks like the schools of the Commonwealth may be turning a corner.

After a flurry of alerts, closures, and advocacy, including a major rally in Harrisburg right before the winter holidays kicked off, this week Gov. Tom Wolf asked PCCY to return to Harrisburg for a major announcement: $1.1 billion for the remediation of lead and asbestos for PA schools.

The Governor’s ask drew no immediate response from PA House and Senate leadership, though crumbling schools is a statewide crisis affecting every county, according to a state commission.

Unsurprisingly, the needs of the School District of Philadelphia, as evidenced by the forced closure of 6 buildings since September, are particularly acute. While some worry the proposal isn’t enough (it isn’t), we would like to note $1 billion dollars is a good start.

Governor Wolf will also be asking for an additional $14M to help homeowners protect their families from the threat of toxic lead, a fund that would not require a child to be poisoned first. This proposal coincides with our efforts to protect children in Southeast PA, leading with Delaware County and the publication of these local guides on lead paint resources.

Rounding out the Governor’s industrious week of announcements was the first report of the Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center, his public-private partnership laser focused on removing barriers to employment and helping businesses, and the state economy, to thrive.

So what was the top priority for the legislature, according to business leaders? Expanding access to high-quality child care. For regular readers of The Point and PCCY supporters, that may not be revolutionary thinking. But considering that the report comes from the business community and Gov. Wolf, we’re taking it as further indication our message continues to penetrate.

Finally, we learned U.S. Senator Bob Casey will soon release a sweeping plan that would alter the way the federal government serves our children. In addition to proposing enhancements to children’s food security, education, and safety, Senator Casey aims to automatically enroll every child in Medicaid from birth to 18. Join us for that announcement at the Please Touch Museum on February 10th at 9:45am as PCCY stands with Senator Casey for the unveiling of a transformational plan for the nation.

Improving the lives of children and protecting them from harm. It’s our not-so-secret agenda. We have long maintained doing what we can for our kids is the common ground that connects everyone, regardless of where you live and how you vote.

After a week like this one, our hopes are up that our agenda is about to break out.