FIGHTING FOR EVERY KID IN EVERY SCHOOL - AND TAXPAYERS, TOO

We have to deliver on the education promise of our constitution

Pennsylvania’s constitution requires all Pennsylvania students should have access to a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary public education.

For too long our funding system hasn’t delivered on this constitutional – and moral – obligation to our students.

Our current system relies heavily on local property taxes tied to community wealth and wages. Students who live in school districts with low property values and incomes or a higher proportion of untaxable property like government buildings & houses of worship don’t receive the same educational resources and opportunities as students who live where property values and incomes are higher.

It’s not fair. Which is why parents sued the state and Commonwealth Court agreed: our disparities violate the rights of all students  – rural, suburban, and urban – of equal protection under the law.

We worked with lawmakers from both parties and from the administration to find a solution -- to create a funding system for our schools in which every student and every taxpayer is treated equally. Now, we’re asking for your help, please, to make sure that system becomes law.


Your message will be sent to:
Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton; Democratic Leader Matthew Bradford; Democratic Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris; Representative Bryan Cutler; Senator Jay Costa; Senator Kim Ward; Senator Scott Martin; Representative Seth Grove; Senator Vincent Hughes; Your Representative; Your Senator.

Subject line:
WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR EVERY KID IN EVERY SCHOOL


Email Body:

Commonwealth Court has ruled that Pennsylvania’s constitution requires us to give every child access to a quality public education, and it’s time to change the way we fund schools to live up to the constitution and our obligation to our kids.

It isn’t fair that while some students start school with a new MacBook, others just a few miles away start school forced to share a math book. And it isn’t fair that in some communities, funding for schools requires a much heavier burden on local taxpayers than in other communities.

Governor Shapiro and House Democrats have come up with a solution for our broken and unconstitutional public school funding system. Making sure every child has equal educational resources and opportunities, no matter where they live, is key to the future success of our kids, their communities, and our commonwealth.

It’s time to stop leaving millions of Pennsylvania children behind. Pass legislation that finally gives every child in Pennsylvania the thorough and efficient education we have promised them, and that they deserve.



Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Your Information: