Presentation Transcript

1. Budget Town Hall Meeting

   Held by state Representatives: Marc Gergely Bill Kortz Harry Readshaw May 5, 2011
2. AGENDA Opening remarks Reps. Marc Gergely and Bill Kortz State budget cuts and impacts Reps. Marc Gergely, Bill Kortz, Harry Readshaw and Joe Markosek State budget cuts and S.B. 1 update Sens. Jay Costa and Jim Brewster Remarks Dr. Linda Croushore, Consortium for Public Education T.E.A.C.H. Remarks Ryan Dunmire and Steve Singer, State and Local Teacher Union Remarks from local school districts Dr. Timothy Gabauer – Superintendent of McKeesport Dr. William Kinavey – Superintendent of Steel Valley Remarks from higher education advocates Dr. Curtis Porter, Chancellor, Penn State Greater Allegheny Mr. Paul Supowitz, Vice-Chancellor, Pitt Governmental Affairs Action Items – What you can do! Questions and answers from the public.
3. Drastic cuts to education Gov. Corbett’s proposal slashes public education funding. $1.1 billion cuts for Pre-K through 12th grade 9.5% cut for Basic Education (K-12) Eliminates funding: Accountability Block Grants Educational Assistance Charter School Reimbursement
4. Education cuts hit home Cost of Gov. Corbett’s cuts to McKeesport Area School District Potential layoffs of 96 employees, including 35 full-time teachers $126 total funding cut per MASD resident $1,013 total funding cut per student
5. Proposed cut per classroom Duquesne City SD - $49,516 Clairton City SD -$36,993 McKeesport Area SD - $25,348 Steel Valley SD - $24,312 South Allegheny SD - $21,031 Bethel Park SD - $7,057 North Allegheny SD - $4,148 Mt Lebanon SD - $3,904 Upper St. Clair SD -$3,386 Fox Chapel Area SD -$3,050 Source: Education Law Center of Pennsylvania
6. Corbett’s Education Grade: F+ Support for public education: C Overall level of state funding: F Funding for schools in communities withthe neediest students and highest taxes: F Smart investments to meet students needswith real reforms and proven solutions: F Support for greater parent and community involvement in public schools: C Source: Education Law Center of Pennsylvania
7. Corbett makes false claims Gov. Corbett falsely claims his cuts return education funding to pre-stimulus levels McKeesport Area School District Corbett’s Proposal2008-09 Funding $21.9 million $22.9 million MASD cut is $1 million more than before federal stimulus dollars.
8. Corbett makes false claims Governor's cuts drop MASD to 2006-07 state funding level 2011-12 (proposed) $21.9 million 2010-11 $26.3 million 2009-10 $26.0 million 2008-09 $25.2 million 2007-08 $23.5 million 2006-07 $21.7 million
9. The following list of proposed revenue streams would prevent the drastic education cuts, layoffs, guaranteed tuition hikes and guaranteed property tax hikes. Revenue generating concepts
10. Revenue Generators Corbett refuses to tap potential revenue streams. Revenue generators would prevent the drastic cuts to education funding, layoffs, guaranteed tuition hikes and guaranteed property tax hikes.
11. Revenue Generators Everything should be on the table. Our children’s education and future hang in the balance.
12. Revenue Generators 10% cut to all 3 branches of government and all government agencies = $164 mil/yr Cut legislative slush funds = $100 mil/yr Close off the big tax loopholes = Total $900 mil/yr Halt the phase-out of the CSFT = $250 mil/yr New tax on political advertising = $300 mil/yr Small tax on the Marcellus Shale = $200 mil/yr
13. Revenue Generators Grand total = $1.91 BILLION/YEAR
14. Other revenue generators More revenue sources to consider include: Smokeless tobacco and cigars tax = $60 mil/yr End vendor 1% sales tax discount = $70 mil/yr Re-appropriate gaming security fund surplus = $20 mil Cut out duplicative programs, i.e. PICS system = $6 mil/yr and others
15. Additional funding areas Liberty Loan Fund (new WAM program for governor) = $2 bil/year Welfare increased $2.3 billion (26%) Corrections increased $186 mil (11%)
16. Budget and Senate Bill 1 Update Senate Democratic leaderJay costa
17. Budget and Senate Bill 1 Update state senator jimbrewster
18. Consortium for Public Education Dr. lindacroushore
19. T.E.A.C.H. GROUP steve singerryanDunmireState and local teacher Union
20. McKeesport School District Dr. timothy GabauerSuperintendent, MASDBudget cut: $4.38 millionlayoffs: 96
21. Steel Valley School District Dr. William KinaveySuperintendent, SVHSBudget cut: $2 millionlayoffs: 56
22. Higher Education Cuts Dr. Curtis PorterChancellor, psu of greater alleghenyMr. Paul SupowitzVice-chancellor, pitt governmental affairs
23. Get fired up and take action Your voice MUST be heard Pressure must be applied Take action
24. Take Action WRITE Editorials to all local newspapers. TAKE packet with contact information. PHONE CALLS to voice your concern. SET UPAND VISIT representatives. CONTACT your friends and colleagues.
25. Take Action WRITE hard copy letters to Reps. PARTICIPATE in rallies and marches. CALL IN to talk radio and/or TV. VISIT Harrisburg and meet with Reps. REGISTER TO VOTE, and VOTE on Election Day!
26. Take Action

    We are fighting FOR shared sacrifice and AGAINST forced sacrifice!

27. Take Action

    We are fighting AGAINST: Education funding cuts Forced mergers/closings Inequitable funding Property tax increases Tuition hikes

28. Take Action

    We are fighting FOR our children’s education and their future.

29. Take Action Questions?
30. Reps. Marc Gergely, Bill Kortz, Harry Readshaw Thank you