FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Marc Gergely D-Allegheny www.pahouse.com/gergely

Gergely local schools to see funding increases in 2008-09 state budget

HARRISBURG, July 4 – State Rep. Marc Gergely, D-Allegheny, today released the following statement as the House of Representatives passed a 2008-09 state budget:

"This budget promotes quality education standards for Pennsylvania's students and educators, and shows our longstanding commitment to adequate funding that will ensure equitable state and local investments in public education. Each school in my legislative district can expect at least a 3 percent increase in basic education funding, including a $1.5 million total increase for McKeesport.

"With the minimum 3 percent increase across the board, we will continue the success we've had in the last five years with Classrooms for the Future, Pre-K Counts, dual enrollment and the Accountability Block Grants.

"The $45 million investment in Classrooms for the Future alone gives us the means to put more laptops than ever before in our classrooms, and bring more high schools into the 21^st century."

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