Friend,
Our session in Harrisburg may be in recess, but this week, many students across the Commonwealth are heading back to the classroom. And after a rocky summer in our General Assembly, Pennsylvania’s public schools are front and center in yet another effort to privatize our education system.
See, earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the current state of funding in Pennsylvania’s public school systems is unconstitutional. They said we have unconstitutionally underfunded and unconstitutionally inequitably funded our public schools. This long overdue victory ordered our legislature to invest more taxpayer dollars into a public education system that supports teachers and students across the Commonwealth.
Instead, Senate Republicans passed a school voucher program in our chamber that will send public, taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools.
Let me be clear: Not only does this legislation violate our state’s constitutional promise to provide our kids with a strong public education — it pushes vulnerable students and families into private and religious schools where they check their Constitutional rights at the door.
As Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I know that voucher programs like the so-called “Lifeline Scholarship” or “PASS” program will hurt our students, destabilize our public education system, and allow rampant abuse of our taxpayer dollars. That’s why I need to ask if you’ll help me fight back by rushing a contribution of any amount to support our public schools.
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Friend, this program will take $103.7 million public taxpayer dollars and divert it to unaccountable private schools. Vouchers will hurt our schools, our teachers, our students, and ultimately, Pennsylvania’s economic future.
Our students and their families deserve better. Join me in opposing this clear violation of our state’s constitutional obligation to support our public schools by pitching in $5, $10, or whatever you’re able today.
Lindsey Williams
Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, Minority Chair
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