From Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (http://www.papartnerships.org):
While the state legislature is on break this week and next, PPC is focusing on the remaining weeks left on the calendar before the looming June 30th budget deadline and making a strong case on the need for increased investments in key areas including education and early learning.
Now is the time to make your voice heard on why investments in Pennsylvania’s children must be included in the final 2018-19 state budget at http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51288/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=24904.
While initial revenue estimates appeared gloomy, recent data released by the Independent Fiscal Office has spending coming in about $250 million over projected revenue, although this number could still fluctuate. This leaves the projected deficit lawmakers must close as low as $200 million.
As a refresher, Gov. Wolf is proposing a $100 million increase for basic education funding, a $20 million increase for special education funding, and a $10 million increase in the career and technical education subsidy line item.
On the early learning side, the Governor proposed a $40 million increase in pre-k funding, $27 million increase for child care initiatives, and a $6.5 million increase for home visiting services.
While revenues are appearing rosier, PPC is following several initiatives that could have a fiscal impact, thereby limiting the amount of investments in our core areas. This includes addressing school safety.
Separate from a budget bill, the legislature will also address education policy issues in a school code bill. Topics negotiated in this legislation may include Keystone Exam moratoriums and alterations, teacher effectiveness changes and potential changes to the state’s outdated charter school law.
Both the House and Senate return following next week’s primary election and will be in session the week of May 21st.
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