Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Probst votes for bill to strengthen support for private and parochial school students

Probst votes for bill to strengthen support for private and parochial school students

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    June 25, 2026 | 11:47 AM

HARRISBURG, June 25 – State Rep. Tarah Probst voted to advance legislation on Monday that would strengthen how Pennsylvania supports students while ensuring taxpayers can clearly see how their dollars are being used—including for students in Monroe and Pike counties who benefit from these programs.

House Bill 2632 would maintain the full $680 million currently allocated to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The legislation would also expand eligibility for early childhood education programs serving children from birth to age 2, broaden access for some of Pennsylvania’s lowest-income students and strengthen reporting and oversight requirements so taxpayers can better understand how scholarship funds are distributed and who benefits from the program.

“Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation circulating about this bill,” Probst said. “Contrary to recent text messages sent by a third party to residents throughout Monroe and Pike counties, this legislation would not cut a single dollar from these scholarship programs. The bill we voted on would maintain the full $680 million in educational tax credits for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Students currently receiving scholarships would continue to do so without interruption.”

The legislation would provide additional oversight through the Auditor General’s Office and require greater transparency regarding how scholarship dollars are distributed.

“When hundreds of millions of taxpayer-supported dollars are involved, taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability,” Probst said. “This bill simply allows the public to better understand where the money is going and who is benefiting from it. If these programs are working as intended, that should be clear for everyone to see.”

Probst questioned why some special interest groups have opposed what she views as a common-sense transparency measure.

“What are they afraid of—transparency and accountability?” Probst said. “This bill does not cut funding. It does not eliminate scholarships. It simply provides greater oversight and public information about a program that receives $680 million in tax credits that corporations use to lower their tax burden and are paid for by Pennsylvania’s working families.”

Probst represents the 189th Legislative District, which includes Delaware Water Gap, East Stroudsburg, and Stroudsburg Boroughs in Monroe County, as well as Stroud, Smithfield and Middle Smithfield Townships in Monroe, and Lehman, Porter and Delaware Townships in Pike County.