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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Robert F. Matzie |
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Matzie bill would ban legislators from holding financial
stake in charter, private schools
HARRISBURG, June 24 – State Rep. Robert F. Matzie, D-Allegheny/Beaver, has introduced legislation that would prohibit current and former members of the General Assembly from having financial interests in charter and private schools funded by the state.
The legislation would also apply to businesses or nonprofit corporations that manage a school that receives an appropriation of funds from the Commonwealth. The bill would extend the ban for one year after a legislator leaves office.
For the first year after leaving office, former legislators are prohibited from having financial interests in certain entities and they may not lobby the body in which they served.
"These checks were established to ensure the fair and equal representation of all interests brought before the House and Senate," Matzie said. "As the debate over school choice continues in both chambers, the funneling of additional tax dollars, in the form of vouchers, to private and charter schools becomes a major issue.
"As such, I believe that current and former members should be prohibited from having financial interests in charter schools, private schools, and businesses or nonprofit corporations that manage a school that receives an appropriation of funds from the Commonwealth," he said. "It is our duty as legislators to make certain that the interests of all parties are represented impartially and without influence."
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