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Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget plan proves that state government can invest in public education again. That’s the kind of budget I want in the school district where I live.
In Luzerne County, Gov. Wolf’s budget will give our schools a combined funding increase of more than $13 million. We need that increase more than ever, since we’ve been feeling the consequences of funding cuts for the past four years. This kind of support will help us to reduce class sizes, bring back programs that work for kids and make sure that our schools are fully staffed to meet the needs of our students.
What’s just as important to remember is that we can fund these investments in our schools just by levying a natural gas extraction tax like every other gas-producing state does. Gov. Wolf’s drilling tax plan will bring in $1 billion a year for our kids.
Additionally, we finally have a governor who’s serious about reducing property taxes with his proposed budget. This is an exciting opportunity for Pennsylvania. It’s the fresh start we need, and I think every Pennsylvanian should get behind it.
Jeff Ney
President
Pennsylvania State Education Association
Northeastern Region
Wilkes-Barre