What PCCY Hopes to See in Governor-Elect Tom Wolf’s First Year in Office
The campaign and election of Tom Wolf this week was historic for Pennsylvania. Governor-elect Wolf’s campaign focused on the benefits of investing now in the next generation to move Pennsylvania forward. To ensure the newly elected Governor hits the ground running when he takes office, PCCY issued an open letter that outlines how he can improve opportunities for children in year one. They include:
Early Childhood Education
- Start by Doubling the Number of Children in High-Quality Pre-K
- Build an Alliance with Legislative Leaders on Both Sides of the Aisle
- Meet with Pre-K for PA
- Optimize the $50 Million in Federal Funds to Boost Early Learning Program Quality
K-12 Education
- Enact a Fair and Adequate Funding Formula for Distributing State Aid to School Districts
- Guarantee Restoration of the Education Cuts Made in FY 2011
- Stop Direct State Payments to Charter Schools that Operate Outside of their Charter Agreements with School Districts
- Reduce the Number of Years Students Take Standardized Tests
The Health of Our Children Requires Your Attention
- Medicaid Expansion Makes Sense, but Medicaid Provider Networks Must Do a Better Job Serving the Needs of Children
- The Child Health Insurance Program Must Continue and Continue to Improve
- Insure All Children
Make Sure No Child is Hungry
- Remove Bureaucratic Barriers to SNAP Enrollment and Reach out to Families Who Need Help Making Ends Meet
- Expand School Breakfast and Lunch Participation
To explain PCCY’s role in expanding opportunities for our region’s children, our letter states:
“Public Citizens for Children and Youth is the only multi-issue child advocacy organization serving the five southeastern counties in the state. I believe that our 30 years of research, advocacy and organizing played an important part in developing a base of voters receptive to the child-friendly ideas you emphasized in your campaign. In the last three decades, nearly every major public policy measure aimed at improving the lives of children in the Commonwealth has been realized when the Governor or champions in the General Assembly sought out our support and we mobilized our base to build the public will necessary for success. We look forward to working with you to help accomplish the great promises you made to the children and families of this state.”
Click Here to Read Our Open-Letter to Governor-elect Tom Wolf
Save the Date for the Celebration of the 2015 Public Citizen for Children and Youth
Mark your calendars now for the Celebration of the 2015 Public Citizen for Children and Youth which will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. Join us as we honor Greg Redden, Regional President for Wells Fargo with a night of fun benefitting PCCY’s efforts to improve the lives of our region’s children.
More details to come. In the meantime, share this short video with your friends to tell them to save the date for this great event.
