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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Chelsa Wagner |
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Wagner: Budget proposal promising for Allegheny Co. schools & jobs
HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Allegheny, today issued the following statement in reaction to Gov. Rendell's education budget proposals:
"Today, I'm encouraged by Governor Rendell's budget proposal to again increase the state's investment in our students and schools in 2008-09. He has proposed that we increase funding for education by $291.3 million, the first step toward increasing the state's spending by $2.6 billion over the next six years to properly support our schools -- without a tax increase.
"Our local school districts in Allegheny County stand to benefit from the nearly six percent proposed education funding increase statewide. The Pittsburgh City School District alone stands to receive a $6.2 million increase, or a 4.27 percent increase in its basic education subsidy.
"I'm heartened by the escalating investment in our students, and I'll do my best to ensure these additional dollars are secured to help our schools and local taxpayers.
"In addition, the governor has asked for quick passage of the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund, of which I am prime sponsor. The fund would invest state dollars in building new facilities for health-related research projects and give hope to people waiting for medical breakthroughs. It would help create about 12,000 high-quality jobs across the state and here in Allegheny County where we have a large number of medical facilities.
"I look forward to working toward passage of these worthy investments in our state's future well-being."
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