In 2011 when Republican Tom Corbett was governor he “slashed $1 billion in school funding and got rid of the funding formula devastating the neediest students.”

In 2015, Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf “immediately outlined a plan to address the inequities and disparities” caused by Corbett.

Gov. Wolf “failed in getting a severance tax” on companies for drilling for natural gas to use to reimburse school systems which would’ve helped with lowering property taxes. Republican legislators staunchly opposed that along with their corporate donors the oil and gas industry.

Last year Pennsylvania paid out $1.4 billion to charter schools that are privately owned and operated without transparency or oversight. In 2022 a 60.9% graduation rate, take funds away from public education. Before Gov Wolf left office he wanted “simple reforms for charter schools” that went nowhere with the no regulations Republicans.

Republicans cater to their largest donors. Jeff Yass spent $18 million to influence just one issue, “alternative education.”

So, in 2023 Pennsylvania Republicans proposed “Life Line Scholarships” vouchers for private school funding to include religious schools. As if a voucher is going to help a failing low income student when private schools can pick and choose which students they enroll.

Republican Rep. Bryan Cutler’s statement “increased public education funding will leave Pennsylvania students trapped in failing schools” was an arrogant insult. He is a longtime House member and was complacent and part of the school funding problem, including lack of charter school oversight with taxpayer money! H e l l o o, charter school founder Mr. Trombetta was sentenced to prison for siphoning $8 million to himself.

Republicans wanted separate tax credits for private schools and also on net income for business with an estimate $2.5 billion in revenue loss. (PCN)

Republicans serve the interests of the wealthy and business while they fight unions, underpay, provide few benefits if any, bamboozle workers and pander to their prejudices.

Kate Flessner, “the Senate is interested in jobs, not artificial minimum wage increases.”

Gobbledygook! She means Biden’s Infrastructure/CHIPS plan that will create millions of blue collar jobs.

Debra Becker

Effort