Toxic Schools

The Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People hosted a Policy Hearing to discuss how the conditions of Pennsylvania schools are impacting students and educators and the legislative solutions to address health and safety concerns. Chair of the Subcommittee Elizabeth Fiedler and Senator Vincent Hughes hosted the hearing. 

The virtual hearing was held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 8 and can be viewed online at www.pahouse.com/policy or the committee's Facebook account - @PADemPolicy. 

 

HEARING DETAILS 

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Toxic Schools

(April 5, 2021)

A virtual hearing hosted by State Rep. Liz Fiedler and State Senator Vincent Hughes on toxic schools in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

IN THE NEWS 

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Toxic schools and their impact on students and educators focus of Thursday’s virtual hearing

(April 6, 2021)

HARRISBURG, April 6 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, chair of the Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, is partnering with state Sen. Vincent Hughes to host a public hearing to discuss the current state of toxins in schools and the impacts they have on health and learning outcomes. The hearing will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 8 . The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page--@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Fiedler will be joined by Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee for members to learn more about repair and remediation options available to schools and how the General Assembly can support efforts to address the issue. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here . Read more

 
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Investment in health, safety and jobs focus of Policy Committee hearing on Pa. toxic schools

(April 8, 2021)

HARRISBURG, April 8 -- Schools statewide are in urgent need of upgrades for the health and safety of students and staff, and today’s meeting of the House Democratic Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People highlighted what actions the state can take to address toxic schools. The public virtual hearing, hosted by Subcommittee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler and state Sen. Vincent Hughes, brought together educators from across the state, healthcare and legal professionals, and labor experts to discuss the implications of inaction and benefits of investment in school safety. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro explained, “Pennsylvania schools need repair. Addressing these concerns will put our skilled laborers to work at family sustaining wages and set children and educators up for good health and success now and in the future.” “Most of Pennsylvania’s schools were built in the 50s when the knowledge of safe materials was limited,” Fiedler said. “But there are plenty of schools built even before that. Those old buildings pose so many health problems to our children, teachers and the community at large where they are.” “While we are in the middle of conversations to make upgrades and accommodations to our schools because of COVID, let’s take this time to discuss what overall solutions are available to make these sick buildings healthy for our kids and everyone who Read more

 
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Investment in health, safety and jobs focus of hearing on Pennsylvania’s toxic schools

(April 16, 2021)

Schools statewide are in urgent need of upgrades for the health and safety of students and staff, and a recent meeting of the House Democratic Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People highlighted what actions the state can take to address toxic schools. Read more

 

AGENDA + TESTIMONY 

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Toxic Schools - Testimony

(April 8, 2021)

A virtual hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee's Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People hosted by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler. Read more