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This e-newsletter is a timely way to keep residents of the 13th District updated on state and local issues. In a time when we are looking for ways to cut costs, this avoids the expense of the traditional mass mailings many legislators use. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who might be interested. If you'd prefer to not receive the e-newsletter, just click the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the page. As always, I greatly appreciate the information and viewpoints you and your neighbors share with me.
Special Education Public Hearing There are many aspects of education that are matters of contention and controversy these days. As various reforms are considered, parents and educators alike are looking for answers to problems in special education. The current special education funding formula was designed two decades ago as a cost control measure. It succeeded to some extent in that goal, but created a new set of problems in how funding responsibility is assigned. As experience has shown, the way the formula works is to the detriment of poorer and urban districts, which are likely to have more special needs students than the formula anticipates. This means that school districts with a weak tax base are forced to contribute more local dollars toward higher special education costs. The Senate Education Committee, of which I am a member, recently held a public hearing to gather details on the difficulty and to receive recommendations on how to fairly fix the formula in a time when controlling spending is high on the priority list for taxpayers. Senate Bill 1115, which addresses concerns about the cost and quality of special education services, was the basis for the hearing. Among those offering testimony was the Superintendent of the School District of Lancaster, Pedro Rivera, which ensures local views are a part of this debate. You may view the hearing here: Video Part 1 (1 hour, 40 min) | Video Part 2 (1 hour) As is true in every policy area, changes will be influenced by tight revenues. Fixing an inequitable funding formula means that some districts would receive additional dollars and others fewer dollars, since funding would be tied to the actual number of special needs students, rather than an arbitrary determination. While many people question the increasing role of the federal government in education, special education is an area where federal law and court decisions have long controlled the situation. The problem here is that federal funding has always fallen short of the expected percentage, leaving the gap to be covered through state and local funds. That situation is unlikely to change, given the current concentration on deficit reduction at the national level. Small Games of Chance The Senate voted to greatly expand a community-based form of gambling known as small games of chance. While the bill passed easily, I was among those who voted in the negative. My vote is not in any way disrespectful toward the fire companies and other community organizations finding it difficult to raise funds in this tough economy. Rather, it was an expression of my concern over the continual expansion of gambling in Pennsylvania. As the competition for gambling dollars grows more intense, more people are losing more money. If this bill becomes law, it is not the end of things. For a number of years, taverns have lobbied hard to be allowed to conduct small games of chance, and that pressure is unlikely to diminish. And the casinos are constantly looking to expand what they offer to compete for gaming dollars. As families are forced to tighten up on household spending, it presents a problem for many of our community groups and charitable organizations. But it does not seem right to tap into people’s desperation as a way to pull in more revenue. Eliminating The Position Of Jury Commissioner To Save Money For many years, county commissioners have pushed a series of mandate relief measures, with the goal of gaining some flexibility to cut costs. One of these measures would give Lancaster and York Counties and others the ability to eliminate the position of jury commissioner. Their argument is that technology has rendered these positions less than necessary. A bill I sponsored to accomplish this was approved by the Senate earlier this
session, but became snagged in the legislative process. So an amendment was
added to a House bill expected to go to the Governor for his signature. |
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