Pa. budget 2023: How a landmark school funding lawsuit is shaping negotiations

[FakeNoose]

Spotlight PA link: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2023/06/pa-budget-2023-school-funding-lawsuit-commonwealth-court/

HARRISBURG — A court decision requiring Pennsylvania lawmakers to make the funding system for public schools more equitable is front and center in this year’s budget negotiations, but the issue will not be resolved by the looming deadline. Commonwealth Court ruled in February that the current school funding scheme is unconstitutional, but did not prescribe a solution, leaving it up to lawmakers to find an answer.

The budget has a deadline of June 30, and while some lawmakers hope to include extra education funding in deference to the court’s ruling, talks over a larger education overhaul are expected to last much longer. The Democrats who newly control the state House are pushing for a large funding increase, and also want to boost money specifically earmarked for the poorest districts.

Republicans are reluctant to spend down the commonwealth’s multibillion budget surplus, citing concerns about a possible economic downturn. Many also say they want any school overhaul to include more publicly funded scholarships for students to attend private or charter schools, a policy that many Democrats argue weakens public schools.

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Pennsylvania uses two different formulas to determine how much money goes to each school district. One is generally seen as outdated and unfair because it doles out cash based on 30-year-old enrollment numbers, which means it routes relatively more money to shrinking districts and less to ones that have grown in recent decades, and doesn’t account for factors like student poverty. The other is considered to be more responsive to districts’ needs, but it’s only used for funding that has been added to the budget since 2016.

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There's no easy or quick way to solve the school funding problem. The question is, will the Repukes show some leadership and work with the Governor and the House Dems? I'm betting the answer is "no."

[BOSSHOG]

1. Public funds for private and charter schools, we gotta compromise

When Churchs voluntarily give up their tax exempt status, such proposals may see the light of my day.

Turn loose the assessors and find out what zealots really value.

And it is absurd to suggest that students get a better education in private schools, that private school teachers are better. The only thing “better” in private schools is the grooming.

[FakeNoose]

2. Watch them start demanding tax money for "home schooling" too

Come on Governor, nip this in the bud or it's going to become an absurd waste of time.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Republicans and many churchs

Have no respect for the separation of church and state when it is designed to protect the church. I say fuck em. Do away with the separation, tax their property to the legal limit. Then they’ll have a reason for asking for funding. I want them to keep their freaking zealotry out of statehouses and our U S Capitol. And enjoy their current tax status.

Imagine the tax bill the Catholic Church would get.