Sen. Brewster Announces Local School Funding Restorations

June 29, 2011

Harrisburg, June 29, 2011 – While disappointed that more state dollars were not restored to local school districts, Sen. Jim Brewster today said the additional state dollars earmarked in the final state spending plan should help local schools make ends meet this year.

“While I readily admit that it was a difficult state budget to balance, I remain disappointed that our governor and majority Republicans insisted on cutting nearly a billion dollars in school subsidies,” Brewster said. “To me, it is unconscionable for Harrisburg to sit on a $700 million dollar surplus while it shortchanges our local schools. This will force school boards to raise local property taxes, furlough teachers and cut vital educational programs.

In his March, budget address, Gov. Corbett proposed cutting statewide school district funding by $1.1 billion. Pressed by Democrats, state lawmakers restored approximately $200 million in the final budget agreement. Brewster said the state could have raised additional resources to restore even more educational dollars.

“This budget should have included impact fees on the drilling companies. My legislation calls for a seven percent impact fee, in which 50 percent of the revenue would go directly towards funding public education.”

Brewster praised the Democrats for their work trying to restore some of the deep cuts made to the school districts.

“My fellow Democrats and I worked hard to get this increased funding for our public schools,” Brewster said. “I will continue to fight for public education, our students and our taxpayers.”

The following is a breakdown of state support (restored money over what Corbett proposed in parenthesis) for local schools:

  • Allegheny Valley — $2.275 million ($163,106)
  • Burrell — $5.478 million ($195,976)
  • Clairton City — $6.752 million ($526,117)
  • Deer Lakes — $5.651 million ($417,330)
  • Duquesne City — $8.502 million ($2.82 million)
  • East Allegheny — $5.964 million ($159,369)
  • Elizabeth Forward — $8,783 million ($633,097)
  • Gateway — $6.840 million ($466,187)
  • Highlands — $10.676 million ($324,132)
  • Kiski Area — $14,956 million ($577,820)
  • McKeesport Area — $22.978 million ($1.47 million)
  • New Kensington-Arnold — $10.948 million ($752,877)
  • Penn-Trafford — $13.525 million ($762,875)
  • Plum Borough — $12.260 million ($832,534)
  • South Allegheny — $9.198 million ($465,825)
  • Woodland Hills — $13.778 million ($650,799)

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Sen. Brewster Announces $2.8 million Funding Restoration for Duquesne Schools

June 29, 2011

Harrisburg, June 29, 2011 – Calling it a “significant, yet inadequate” budget restoration, Sen. Jim Brewster today said he and state Rep. Marc Gergely were able to obtain an additional $2.825 million in state funding restorations for the Duquesne School District.

This hikes the state subsidy to Duquesne by about 33 percent over the $5.787 million the governor proposed in March,” Brewster said.

“Even though the district’s high school students now attend other schools, it is imperative that the state adequately fund an appropriate education for Duquesne students in grades K through eight. I will continue to work with Representative Gergely and other legislative colleagues to seek a lasting and permanent solution on how best to fund and educate Duquesne’s students.”

Brewster said the state could have provided additional funds to schools statewide if they would have tapped into the state’s $700 million budget surplus or imposed a moderate tax on the gas drilling industry.

“I will continue to be an ardent supporter of the Duquesne School District and all public education students,” Brewster said.

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Brewster Says State Budget Betrays Middle Class Taxpayers

June 29, 2011

Also Blasts State Community Takeover Bill

HARRISBURG, June 29, 2011 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today said the new state budget and a state takeover bill aimed at struggling cities will hurt working families, spur drastic local tax increases and could force school districts and municipalities to mergers.

Brewster said the measures, which Republicans crafted behind closed doors with no Democratic input, would also hurt law enforcement and first-responders if mergers become a reality.

“Revenue has been ripped from our communities and school districts,” Brewster said. “This drop in state support will add undue burdens on already cash-strapped families.

“Look for a state takeover in a community near you. The passing of SB 1151 will allow the state to strip the rights of voters by usurping their elected leaders. This bill implements a management board and makes 53 communities across the state vulnerable to having the state take over their government’s operational and fiscal affairs.

Brewster said the “hypocrisy” of the budget can be summed up by governor’s unwillingness to impose an impact fee on one of the largest, most profitable industries in the world; and at the same time, refusing to use the state’s budget surplus, estimated at $700 million, to negate some of the brutal cuts to education, health care and emergency programs for homeowners.

“The ill effects of the budget will emerge with time and then, the good people of Pennsylvania will see firsthand what their governor has done to them, their families and their communities,” Brewster said.

The budget bill (HB 1485) passed the Senate by a vote of 30-20, along party lines. It is now in the House of Representatives for concurrence. Senate Bill 1151 passed the Senate 29-21, and is also under consideration in the House.

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