Smith-Wade-El praises bipartisan PA budget’s historic investment in education: ‘Historic investments in public education put Lancaster on the right track’

Central PA Delegation    July 12, 2024 | 10:03 AM

HARRISBURG, July 12 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, praised the 2024-25 PA budget passed Thursday by the General Assembly for delivering historic investments in public education that will help address longstanding funding inequities existing between wealthy and lower-income school districts in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s 2024-25 budget includes $1.3 billion in funding for public schools statewide.

“This budget delivers historic investments in public education, making good on our promise to address longstanding, chronic underfunding of lower-income school districts,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This state budget takes a serious step forward in fulfilling the state constitution’s requirement that Pennsylvania provide ‘a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.’

“I am proud to say that this year’s budget has increased funding for the School District of Lancaster, Penn Manor, Hempfield and Manheim Township.”

The budget increases funding for Lancaster County school districts, including over $10.8 million in increased funding and cost savings for school districts in the 49th Legislative District: 

  • School District of Lancaster: $6.8 million
  • Penn Manor: $4 million
  • Hempfield: $2.3 million
  • Manheim Township: $3.2 million

“This year’s historic investments are a promising new start, but we need to continue on an audacious path forward to strengthening school districts throughout the commonwealth to ensure that all our students are getting a great education.

“It benefits all Pennsylvanians in the short, and especially in the long term, that every student has access to a high-quality education so they can thrive, and Pennsylvania has the highly skilled workforce needed to compete in the 21st century global economy.”

Among other highlights, the budget includes the following funding increases and new investments that will benefit Pennsylvania’s schoolchildren.

Making sure every child can learn in a safe and healthy learning environment by investing $100 million to clean up and improve school facilities and eliminate health hazards like asbestos and lead, while also investing $100 million for school safety and resources for students in crisis.

To counteract the lack of teachers entering the workforce, funding for the popular Student Teacher Stipend Program has been doubled to strengthen the teacher pipeline.

To help alleviate period poverty, which causes many students to skip school, menstrual products will be provided in schools.

“I want to thank the Basic Education Funding Commission chairman, state Representative Mike Sturla of Lancaster County, for all that he has done to create equity in school funding,” Smith-Wade-El said.

“The ultimate thanks go to students, parents, paraeducators, union teachers, and staff at the School District of Lancaster and districts across the commonwealth who were willing to fight for future generations to have the schools our students deserve.”

As a housing advocate, Smith-Wade-El also praised the budget’s funding to address the affordable housing and homelessness crises with a $5 million funding increase (27%) for Homeless Assistance; more investments in affordable housing, eviction prevention, and homelessness assistance by increasing transfers for the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) annually to $100 million after five years; and helping municipalities provide housing to residents in emergencies.

“Ensuring that Pennsylvania’s children have a home of their own will provide the essential foundation for their intellectual, social, emotional and physical health and flourishing,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Being homeless is often an impossible barrier to academic success, as children struggle with an unstable existence that causes psychological issues and unsafe living conditions that result in health problems. 

“There’s no more important goal than providing Pennsylvania’s children with a safe place to live and a safe school to attend every day,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Widespread housing insecurity has had a devastating impact on our communities, from educational disparities to unemployment to the gun violence epidemic. By fighting for every Pennsylvanian’s right to a home, we will provide critical support to countless working families and help ensure their children get their chance to succeed in school and in life.

“As Pennsylvanians have a fundamental right to a high-quality education, so too do they have a fundamental right to a home of their own. It is a matter of justice. Let’s get it done!”