Legislative News

 

PA System of Public-School Funding Unconstitutional

The Commonwealth Court ruled in West Penn School District et al. v. Pennsylvania Department of Education et al. this week that Pennsylvania’s system of funding public education is unconstitutional. This case began in 2014 when 6 school districts, 6 sets of parents, and 2 advocacy groups filed the lawsuit alleging that the way that the legislature funds education in Pennsylvania violates our constitution, which requires that “the General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education.” 

The plaintiffs who brought the case alleged that by relying on a patchwork system of local property taxes and underfunding districts from the state level, the General Assembly is failing in its constitutional duty to provide that system of public education. This week, the Commonwealth Court agreed in a nearly 800-page opinion. 

I applaud the Court’s ruling, but this decision doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has talked to students, families, or educators here in Pennsylvania– they’ll tell you that our schools have never been fully or fairly funded. We have the funding necessary to fulfill our constitutional promise to all of Pennsylvania’s students. The legislature needs to prioritize students over political agendas and create a system where ALL students receive the quality public education that the PA Constitution guarantees them. I’m urging my colleagues in the General Assembly to join me in getting to work now.

Read more about this developing story: 

https://senatorlindseywilliams.com/pennsylvania-senate-democratic-caucus-applauds-court-ruling-public-education-funding-unconstitutional/.

Pa. state school funding system deemed unconstitutional (wtae.com)

Black History Month 

February is Black History Month and we are featuring notable figures from Pittsburgh’s rich Black history each week.

First Black Woman Professionally Trained as a Librarian

Since February is National Library Lovers Month, we are beginning with Virginia Powell Florence. Virginia was born in Wilkinsburg and was the first Black woman to receive professional librarian training in the United States! She received her degree from the Carnegie Library School in 1923 (now the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences)and worked at the New York Public Library before serving as the school librarian at Seward High School in New York and Maggie L. Walker High School in Virginia. 

For more information on Virginia Powell Florence’s life go to Virginia Proctor Powell Florence - Wikipedia.

Want to learn more? The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the Founders of Black History Month, have named the theme for this year’s Black History Month “Black Resistance.” The Carnegie Library has curated a list of some suggested reading around this theme that you can find at Reading Black Resistance - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. 

Things to Know

 

Annual Mail Ballot Applications are Coming!

Attention voters! Allegheny County Elections Division has been mailing out Annual Mail Ballot Applications for a week. Check your mailbox!

If you are on the annual mail-in voter list:

• You must complete and return the application to affirm you want the County to send you a mail-in ballot for all 2023 elections in which you are eligible to vote.

• You will receive this application every year unless you return it & specify that you no longer want to receive it. If you would like to be removed from the annual list, follow the instructions provided by the County on how to cancel your annual status.

Remember, even if you received mail ballots last year, you must submit a new request every year! Check your registration, submit a request, or learn more about Annual Mail Ballot Applications at  Annual Mail-in Voter List (pa.gov).

 

Governor Shapiro Addresses Issues with State Licensure

I applaud Governor Josh Shapiro for making an examination of the state licensure process a priority so early in his Administration. My office routinely hears from constitutions who have difficulty getting their licenses processed, particularly nursing licenses. I’m encouraged to see that Governor Shapiro is looking for the root of the bottlenecks and how we can eliminate them in the future, while still ensuring high quality professionals to serve Pennsylvanians. 

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro targets state license and permit bottlenecks in latest executive order | 90.5 WESA

 

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Complete PennDOT’s Highway Safety Survey

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking motorist input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through its annual online Highway Safety Survey. In 2021, 1230 people died on Pennsylvania roadways, which could be prevented by buckling up, slowing down, increasing driver attentiveness, and driving sober. Survey results will gauge driver attitudes toward safety and will be used to adjust PennDOT’s efforts to reduce crashes and fatalities. 

Go to Highway Safety Survey to complete the survey today. Survey closes February 28, 2023.

 

PA Department of Banking Hosting Girl Scout “My Financial Planner”Event

Microsoft Teams, Monday, February 13, 6-7:30 PM

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) is partnering with the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania to offer Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn a financial literacy badge. The My Financial Planner Event will be presented virtually on Microsoft Teams to Ambassador-level Girl Scouts. 

Contact Becky MacDicken at 717-214-4755 or [email protected]for more information.

 

Pine-Richland Student Chosen for Hits!The Musical

Congratulations to Pine-Richland School District student Loren Prisuto for earning a role with national touring company Hits! The Musical. Her audition clearly struck a chord because she is one of the 19 vocalists chosen out of 7,000 kids who auditioned.

Read more at Pine-Richland middle school girl picked for cast of ‘Hits! The Musical’ touring company | TribLIVE.com.