Philadelphia, PA (November 13, 2-25) – POWER Interfaith celebrates the passage of Pennsylvania’s 2025-2026 state budget as a victory for every child, parent, and educator who has raised their voice for justice in education. This budget fulfills the second installment of adequacy funding – a crucial step toward full and fair funding for public schools across the Commonwealth.
For months, faith leaders, parents, and community members from every corner of Pennsylvania have shown up for Full & Fair Funding Fridays, called lawmakers, and kept up pressure for a budget that reflects our moral values.
“This is what organizing looks like. It’s what faith in action looks like,” said Rev. Dr. Gregory Edwards, Executive Director of POWER Interfaith. “People of faith didn’t wait for someone else to fix the problem. We prayed, we called, we showed up – and won a major step toward repairing generations of disinvestment in our children’s education. But our work isn’t done until every child in Pennsylvania -no matter their zip code – has the fully funded education they deserve.”
Beth Reeves, a POWER leader in Lancaster County, added: “This victory is proof that when our communities stand together, lawmakers listen. Our organizing made this possible, and we’ll keep showing up until full and fair funding is not just a line item in a budget, but a lived reality in every classroom.”
The new budget includes the second round of adequacy and tax equity payments, delivering hundreds of millions in new resources to historically underfunded school districts and taking a major step toward meeting the Commonwealth’s constitutional and moral obligation to provide a high-quality education for all.
POWER Interfaith commends Governor Josh Shapiro, members of the Pennsylvania House, and the Senate for honoring the commitment to public education and the people who rely on it.
While this is a time for celebration, POWER Interfaith emphasizes that the fight for full equity in education – and for the communities schools serve – continues.
“Budgets are moral documents,” Rev. Edwards said. “This one shows progress. But our faith calls us to keep pushing for a Pennsylvania where every child, family, and worker can thrive. That’s the future we’re still building, together.”
