Jim Pio, Republican candidate in the 172nd Legislative District, is applauding the five-year plan that the School District of Philadelphia recently adopted.
The plan calls for $440 million worth of new investments, such as updated supplies and classrooms and a nurse in every school, over the next five years. The plan, however, assumes that the school district will receive educational funding at the level Gov. Tom Wolf proposed in his 2016–2017 budget.
“Clearly, the Philadelphia school district was forced to develop this plan based on the assumption that it will receive funding in the amounts proposed in Gov. Wolf’s budget. As demonstrated by the 2015–2016 budget negotiations, it is unrealistic to expect that the final budget will reflect the amount proposed by Gov. Wolf,” Pio said.
ldquo;It is fiscally irresponsible that the Philadelphia school district is forced to develop a plan based on state-funding assumptions that are unlikely to come to fruition. The school district cannot properly develop an effective five-year plan in the face of so much uncertainty. Philadelphia needs some degree of certainty regarding Harrisburg’s financial contribution to its schools in order to properly develop a plan to educate our children. My mother was a teacher and while her first priority was her students, her worries of job security were all too real. This is not to say that it is realistic to expect a concrete figure before negotiations for next year’s budget have even begun, but the city needs, at the very least, a ballpark figure it can rely on for planning purposes. Just like how families and businesses cannot appropriately plan for the future with such financial uncertainty, neither can our schools.”
Pio worries that financial institutions, in response to the newly passed budget, will downgrade Pennsylvania’s credit rating if they continue to see weakened fiscal stewardship in Harrisburg. A downgrade would raise the state’s interest rates, costing taxpayers millions of dollars annually.
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The Communications Workers of America Local 13000 endorsed state Sen. John Sabatina Jr. (D-5th dist.) for re-election.
CWA 13000 President Jim Gardler said, “We’re proud to endorse Sen. Sabatina. He’s fought for higher wages and working families throughout Pennsylvania. He’s the only choice.”
Sabatina said, “I’m delighted to count on the CWA’s endorsement. They are a vital partner in the Pennsylvania labor movement and have been an advocate for fair wages and working Pennsylvanians.”
The Association of Pennsylvania State Colleges & University Faculties also endorsed Sabatina.
Sabatina said, “I’m thrilled to have the APSCUF endorsement. They represent much of Pennsylvania higher education faculty, and their endorsement further proves my commitment to high-quality education.”
Sabatina, who previously served for nine years in the state House, faces a primary challenge from state Rep. Kevin Boyle.
Sabatina has already been endorsed by Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, Sheriff Jewell Williams, former Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham, Carpenters Northeast Regional Council, AFSCME Local 88, Sheetmetal Workers Local 19, UFCW Local 1776, Pennsylvania State Troopers Local 37, Operating Engineers Local 542, Roofers & Waterproofers Local 30, Teamsters Regional Council, the International Longshoremen Local 1291, and the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 21.
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Jared Solomon, who is challenging state Rep. Mark Cohen (D-202nd dist.) in the primary, has been endorsed by the millennial-run political action committee Philly Set Go.
Solomon also has the official party backing.
City Controller and longtime Democratic leader of the 54th Ward Alan Butkovitz said, “The city Democratic Party’s endorsement of Jared Solomon’s candidacy for state representative is not your typical endorsement. This is the first time since 1978 that the city Democratic Party has not endorsed Mark Cohen in an election. They decided that it was time to give someone else a chance to address the most serious issues the 202nd district faces — crime, infrastructure and poverty — and I couldn’t agree more. We need a strong leader who will fight to bring resources from the state to our community. I’m confident that voters will agree on April 26 that it is time to give Jared a shot.”
State Sen. Tina Tartaglione said, “Jared Solomon is the best choice to represent this district. That is why I give my endorsement and full support to Jared. I look forward to working with his campaign toward victory this April 26.” ••
