Budgets are about values, and with its $1 billion cut to public education the proposed budget makes the wrong choices about our present and our future.

Indeed, the idea that we are increasing aid to prisons while cutting aid to education is an eloquent statement of a future we should reject. When coupled with the expiring federal stimulus funds, Philadelphia is at the eye of the perfect storm aimed at public education. Under Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget, Philadelphia will lose 23 percent of our state education funding, more than $297 million.

Schools all over the state may be forced to eliminate educational programs that have proven successful. The more low-income children in a district the more the loss will be since the districts that educate low-income children rely more on state aid – and will feel the brunt of the cuts. For example, the Upper Darby School District, with an enrollment of nearly 12,000, would lose $483 per student, while the Radnor Township School District would be cut $76 for each of its 3,600 students.

Unless changed, the governor’s proposed budget could translate into the elimination of full-day kindergarten, smaller class size, tutoring for our children who need it most, and school layoffs.

Over the past decade increased state funding and some valuable programs have led to increased student achievement across Pennsylvania. This progress that must be built upon and strengthened will instead be placed at serious risk by these dramatic cuts. In the midst of an economic crisis we should understand that we cannot cut our way out of this problem; we need more revenue.

The proposed budget calls for shared sacrifice that is not being shared uniformly. Our children are sacrificing while others are walking away relatively unscathed.

The budget ignores potential sources of revenue such as taxing Marcellus Shale, smokeless tobacco and closing corporate loopholes.

Seventy-eight percent of Pennsylvanians do not support cutting education and 62 percent support taxing natural gas extraction.

A shared sacrifice can be achieved only through a revenue increase and recognition of what is important to the people of Pennsylvania: education. An educated citizenry — and work force — is necessary in order to progress. With Pennsylvania’s future at stake, cutting education is the wrong choice for our state.

Shanee Garner is an education associate with Public Citizens for Children and Youth in Philadelphia.

Delco Times – April 11, 2011 – Read article online