Siegel releases statement on PA Senate passage of $100 million private school voucher program
Northeast Delegation July 3, 2023 | 10:36 AM
HARRISBURG, July 3 – State Rep. Josh Siegel issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Senate’s passage of a $100 million private school voucher program using state tax dollars.
“The Senate Republican Leadership needs to get serious about investing in our children. This isn’t about a lifeline for our children, it’s about satisfying billionaire donors and special interest backers like Donald Trump’s Betsy DeVos and Pennsylvania’s richest public school enemy, Jeffrey Yass.
“If Senate Republicans want to give our children a lifeline, they’d ensure our children didn’t go to school in buildings with lead paint and asbestos falling from the walls. They’d ensure that our children went to schools with air conditioning. They’d ensure that our children went home to affordable houses in safe neighborhoods. They’d raise the wage of working parents, so they didn’t have to worry about rent or groceries. They’d ensure every child got a free breakfast and lunch. They’d fund afterschool programs and after school resources. They’d ensure that every child could attend an affordable state public college or trade school.
“This isn’t about a lifeline, it’s about a flatline for public education, public school teachers and public-school kids. Vouchers will not fix the decades of unfunded public schools and out of control property taxes, but they will help Jeffrey Yass defund public education, undermine our public-school teachers and undercut the great equalizer that is public school.
“I will always stand with our educators, parents, and children when it comes to meeting our obligation to fully fund public schools and ensure that every child regardless of whether they live in Allentown or Altoona, gets a quality public education,” Siegel said.