Gov. Corbett Pushes to Open Philly Schools on Time
I am calling on the legislature to return to Harrisburg before school starts and address the cigarette tax and school funding issue. #phled
— Governor Tom Corbett (@GovernorCorbett) August 6, 2014
Gov. Tom Corbett made a big push today to open Philly public schools on time, saying he would send the city $265 million and call on the Legislature to return to work to pass a cigarette tax officials here say will fully fund schools for the year.
The $265 million is an advance on money the state already planned to send to fund Philly schools — it’s just getting here sooner than planned. Officials have said the cigarette tax is needed to ensure schools can stay open throughout the school year — and that they might not open schools on time without assurance they can keep those doors open.
The announcement came at a 9:30 a.m. press conference, as well as in a series of posts to Twitter.
We are here to ensure that Philadelphia school district students walk through the doors of their schools on the 1st day of school. #phled
— Governor Tom Corbett (@GovernorCorbett) August 6, 2014
I am authorizing $265 million in advance payments to the Philadelphia school district. #phled
— Governor Tom Corbett (@GovernorCorbett) August 6, 2014
I am calling on the legislature to return to Harrisburg before school starts and address the cigarette tax and school funding issue. #phled
— Governor Tom Corbett (@GovernorCorbett) August 6, 2014
I also urge the legislature to continue working on a key issue that affects the Philadelphia school district: pension reform. #phled
— Governor Tom Corbett (@GovernorCorbett) August 6, 2014
I have said it before. I will say it again. PFT union leadership needs to come to the table to help the students of Philadelphia. #Phled
— Governor Tom Corbett (@GovernorCorbett) August 6, 2014
The state, mayor, city council and school district have also taken action to help. The PFT remains the one entity not at the table. #Phled
— Governor Tom Corbett (@GovernorCorbett) August 6, 2014
It is past time for the leadership of PFT to rightly represent the members it serves and do what is right for Philadelphia students. #Phled
— Governor Tom Corbett (@GovernorCorbett) August 6, 2014
More to come.
