FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dionne Watts-Williams / 215-713-4875 / press@powerinterfaith.org
Approved PA Budget: Mixed Progress on Education and Climate, POWER Interfaith Urges Further Investment
Philadelphia, PA (July 12, 2024) — The FY 2024-2025 state budget that was approved late Thursday night brings about a mix of setbacks and victories for constituents of POWER Interfaith, particularly in the areas of climate justice and education. While the budget includes some positive steps, it falls short in critical areas that affect the well-being and future of communities throughout Pennsylvania.
Climate Justice & Jobs
The popular, bipartisan Whole Home Repairs program was not refunded. “In this era of climate emergency, we need a rapid and just shift away from fossil fuels to safe, energy-efficient homes and affordable public transportation for all,” said Rev. Cheryl Pyrch, leader with POWER Interfaith’s Climate Justice & Jobs campaign. “We have work to do to elect champions who will fight for all the people of Pennsylvania.”
The budget includes $25 million for the Solar for Schools grant program, a positive win for safe schools, green jobs, and energy injustice, yet only increases public transit funding by $80.5 million and only for one year. Governor Shapiro had proposed spending $283 million more for transit this year and continuing that additional funding for several more years. As a result, SEPTA may need to cut service and raise fares in the coming months.
Education Equity
In light of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s school funding decision that requires a plan “to provide all students in every district throughout Pennsylvania with an adequately funded education,” the newly-approved budget allocates $1 billion to public education, a critical step in the right direction. These funds will be used to hire the skilled teachers, tutors, and counselors essential for our students’ success. However, this is less than the $4.5 billion that is truly needed. The budget plan fails to provide a long term solution and pathway to bring Pennsylvania’s education funding into constitutional compliance. Our children and our communities deserve more than a promise for fully-funded schools sometime in the future. They deserve a legislated commitment from their leaders. The Governor and the General Assembly must pass legislation that enacts into law a schedule of increases to meet the adequacy gap caused by decades of racial bias and inequity in school funding.
Pennsylvania’s constitution demands more – and acknowledging the magnitude of this problem simply isn’t enough. The Governor and General Assembly must now define a timeline to provide this essential funding with the utmost urgency. We owe it to each one of our children.
POWER Interfaith and its members are encouraged by the additional basic education funding and a step in the right direction on solarizing schools, but also urge our legislators to do more to ensure all students in Pennsylvania have access to the quality education they deserve, and that the Governor live up to his promise to fund public transportation, which is an essential service for a thriving economy.
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POWER Interfaith is a network of more than 200 congregations throughout Pennsylvania, a statewide organizing force for economic and racial justice on a livable planet. The organization’s Roadmap for Justice platform outlines how to address key issues for a prosperous Pennsylvania. More about POWER Interfaith at www.powerinterfaith.org.
