Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Education Khalid Mumin recently emphasized the potential impact of the governor’s 2024-25 budget proposal on Pennsylvania’s children. This budget aims to provide every child in Pennsylvania with the resources and freedom to pursue their own educational path by making substantial investments in public education and early learning.
The proposed budget includes substantial funding to ensure public schools are fully supported, to assist teachers, and to provide high-quality, affordable childcare and early learning opportunities. This initiative builds on the bipartisan efforts of the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC).
Key proposals in Governor Shapiro’s budget include:
– $1.1 billion in new funding for K-12 education: This includes nearly $900 million as a first-year adequacy investment recommended by the BEFC, with the remaining $200 million distributed through the Basic Education Funding Formula.
– $300 million for environmental repairs in schools.
– An additional $50 million for special education.
– A $50 million investment in school safety and security.
– $30 million for teacher recruitment and retention in Pre-K programs.
– $15 million for student teacher stipends.
Governor Shapiro highlighted the significance of these investments, stating, “Ensuring all Pennsylvania children have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed is critical to our Commonwealth’s future. Since taking office, my administration has worked to create opportunity for every child by investing in our K-12 schools. From delivering the largest increase in K-12 basic education funding in Pennsylvania history to securing universal free breakfast for 1.7 million K-12 students, we are giving every student the tools they need to succeed.”
Shapiro’s budget proposal builds on previous progress by delivering a comprehensive solution for education in Pennsylvania, with a nearly $1.1 billion increase in basic education funding. This investment aims to enhance the educational experiences of students, support teachers, and ensure safe and healthy classrooms.
Secretary Mumin added that providing students with essential resources, such as new textbooks, expanded course offerings, and nutritious meals, allows them to focus on learning and achieve their full potential.
Legislation for Higher Education
Senator Jay Costa and Representative Peter Schweyer have introduced legislation supporting Governor Shapiro’s higher education plan, known as SB 1248 and HB 2398. This plan builds on the governor’s Blueprint for Higher Education and seeks to reinvest in publicly funded colleges and universities, improve coordination between institutions, make college more affordable, and address workforce shortages by helping more Pennsylvanians earn college credentials. The plan also aims to attract more people to Pennsylvania and drive economic growth for future generations.
Governor Shapiro emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “For too long, Pennsylvania has disinvested in higher education, leading to higher costs and barriers for students. This plan creates real opportunity by reinvesting in higher education, lowering college costs, and incentivizing institutions to collaborate to meet our critical workforce needs. It provides Pennsylvanians with the freedom to pursue an affordable, high-quality college education at any point in their lives.”
The plan also proposes increasing Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) state grants by $1,000 for students from median-income families, raising the maximum award from $5,750 to $6,750 beginning in FY2025-26.
National Security Legislation
U.S. Representative Dan Meuser has co-sponsored H.R. 8631, the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, which aims to prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from procuring batteries from six Chinese companies. These companies, linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), pose potential security risks, including the possibility of malware installation on electric vehicles (EVs) and the ability to disrupt EV charging networks and battery-energy storage systems.
Meuser stressed the importance of this legislation in protecting national security and reducing dependence on foreign adversaries, particularly as the use of battery power becomes more prevalent in the U.S. H.R. 8631 has been referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security for further action.
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Six Bills
Senator Lisa Baker announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced six bills aimed at enhancing safety and security in Pennsylvania. These bills include:
– Senate Bills 186 and 187: These replace the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material” to more accurately reflect the crime.
– Senate Bill 1213: This prohibits AI-generated child sexual abuse material and other AI-generated sexually explicit images.
– Senate Bill 1236: Amends the Landlord Tenant Act to define “tenant” and clarify property rights.
– Senate Bill 1231: Updates legal definitions and rules for trusts based on recommendations from the 2021 Joint State Government Commission Advisory Committee on Decedents’ Estates Law.
– Senate Resolution 196: Directs a study on veterans’ experiences in the criminal justice system related to PTSD, military sexual trauma, and traumatic brain injury.
These legislative efforts demonstrate the ongoing commitment to addressing emerging issues and protecting residents’ rights in Pennsylvania.
