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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. James Roebuck |
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Roebuck: House passes budget with $64 million increase for Philadelphia schools
HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Rep. James Roebuck, D-Phila., said a highlight of the state budget passed Wednesday is the $250 million increase in the basic education subsidy, which will result in an increase of more than $64 million, or 6.35 percent, for the School District of Philadelphia.
"This is particularly notable because most states have either cut or level-funded their basic education funding this year," said Roebuck, chairman of the House Education Committee.
Though there were small decreases in funding for early childhood education, the state is still providing significant funding to the Pre-K Counts program, which will receive more than $85 million, and Head Start, which will receive more than $38 million, he said.
"Pennsylvania is still a leader in funding early childhood education, even though state revenues continue to be affected by the nationwide recession that began more than two years ago," Roebuck said.
"Even during this difficult time, funding was not reduced but rather level-funded for our public institutions of higher education, including community colleges, the State System of Higher Education and our state-related universities, including Temple University and Lincoln University. In addition, the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School still received state funding in this year’s budget of more than $29 million.
"I am disappointed in the $15 million cut in funding for the PHEAA grant program, but overall, unlike in many other states during this difficult fiscal year, Pennsylvania once again made education a priority in this year’s budget, thanks to the leadership of House Democrats and Governor Rendell. I hope education will continue to be a high priority as our economy improves."
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