BUDGET NEWS

Every year in February, the Governor of Pennsylvania, presents a spending proposal for the upcoming fiscal year that begins in July.  With state revenue expectations already down $1.1 billion, lawmakers face very difficult decisions about who wins and who loses in this year's state budget.

As proposed, one area of the budget - public education - by all measures will fare pretty well.  In fact, the basic education subsidy will increase $300 million to total $5.8 billion.  That amounts to a 5.4% increase in spending for public school students in that line item alone.

Nonpublic school students, like those in our Catholic schools, also receive some funding in the state budget for activities and materials, for example, textbooks, materials, equipment and other services such as programs for students with special needs.  In the past, the annual increase in these line items proportionately mirrored the increase in the appropriations for public education funding.  Last year we witnessed a change in the trend; the public education subsidy increased 5.5%, but the nonpublic line items only gained 3%.

The inequities in this year's proposed budget are even worse.  Line items funding textbooks and materials, and other services for nonpublic school students are actually proposed to decrease from last year.

If "education is the best defense against recession" as the governor suggested in his budget address, then all Pennsylvania students deserve the same investment.

The state legislature must pass a balanced budget before June 30, 2009.  Urge your state representative or senator to support equal, fair and proportionate funding for Pennsylvania's nonpublic school students. Send an e-mail message here: http://wwwvotervoice.net/Groups/PACC/Advocacy/?IssueID=16312&SiteID=-1

ON THE HORIZON

Read what is on the agenda for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference in the 2009-2010 legislative session in the latest edition of Viewpoint.

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One of the objectives of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference is to foster public understanding of the Church's teaching and concern about morality, health, welfare, education, and human rights as they relate to public policy. The NEWS from the PCC is a periodic, electronic newsletter that will be sent to anyone interested in staying informed about these important issues as they unfold at the State Capitol. The goal of the newsletter is to enlighten and educate concerned citizens. Feel free to pass it on!