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POWER and faith-based organizations across PA plan “Moral Takeover” of State Capitol

By June 3, 2015January 15th, 2016No Comments

After Pennsylvania voters gave a clear mandate to lawmakers to fund public schools in November’s election, Harrisburg still isn’t listening.

PA has the most unequally funded public schools in the United States, including a racial bias towards districts with more white students.  Across the state, in rural, suburban, urban, black, brown and white communities alike, our school districts have been underfunded for decades and our kids can’t wait any longer for a 21st century education.

Governor Wolf has proposed an increase to public education funding that is still a fraction – 15% – of what would fully fund schools. The House of Representatives has proposed a budget with no new money for schools at all. Meanwhile, both want cuts in taxes for corporations. Clearly, we don’t have a financial crisis in Pennsylvania – we have a moral one.

If our lawmakers won’t do the right thing and listen to Pennsylvanians’ real pain and experiences, we have not other choice but to go right to their doorstep and bring our values to them.

Starting on June 20th, people of faith from across the state will be fasting and praying for ten days straight or however long it takes for lawmakers to pass a moral budget. On June 20th, hundreds of Pennsylvanians will gather to bless this fast and prepare ourselves for the battle for justice ahead. Click here to RSVP.

Take a stand and join us. Bring your voice, your prayers and your body. Get to Harrisburg on June 20th for the largest interfaith service in Pennsylvania’s history, right on the steps of the Capitol building, to call for a moral budget that funds our schools fully and fairly. Then stay as long as you can or join us throughout the week as the budget deadline approaches and we let our lawmakers know that Pennsylvanians won’t stand for underfunded schools.

6.20.15 SCHEDULE

10:30AM | Shabbat Service | Steps of the State Capitol
Main Capitol Building, North 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA

12PM | Interfaith Ceremony | Steps of the State Capitol
Main Capitol Building, North 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA

In the services on June 20th, we’ll prepare ourselves before God for a 10-day “Moral Takeover” of the Capitol when people will take bold action to bring our values into the public sphere in the final days of state budget negotiations.