Education advocates were joined by Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) for a press conference in the Main Rotunda in opposition of the budget bill that recently was passed by the House. Jay Himes, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), asserted that these state cuts will not only lead to further harm to students and districts across the Commonwealth, but also continue to put pressure on districts to raise local property taxes. Sen. Farnese expressed his “disgust” with the continued lack of concern for children across the state, particularly those in Philadelphia. “If you bury the city of Philadelphia, you’re going to bury the entire Commonwealth along with it,” he submitted. “The truth is that this is not a Philadelphia program; this is a Pennsylvania problem.” Various advocates from districts throughout the state expressed similar concerns, noting that the legislature is ignoring the importance of education amongst Pennsylvanians. Helen Gym, head of Parents United for Public Education, stated, “If they can’t hear us today, they’ll hear it loud and clear in November.”

FYI by PLS – June 26, 2014 – Read article online (subscription required)