FILE – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro arrives ahead of President Joe Biden's speech on Friday, January 5, 2024, in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The Shapiro administration said next month it plans to propose measures to fix the state's higher education system, which is among the worst in the state. Affordable country. The administration did not provide many details on Friday, Jan. 26, but said the Democratic governor would provide more details in his Feb. 6 budget speech. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Editor:
Thanks to you leading eagle “Big Winners in Education Budget Planning” (February 11). It is important for our community to know that our state funding has been ruled unconstitutional because it is so low (we rank 45th nationally) and so unfairly distributed.
Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget reflects the first in a bipartisan seven-year plan to fix this problem.
The proposed increase in state funding would improve the quality of public education, reduce the need for property tax increases, and help the most vulnerable taxpayers by shifting the tax burden away from property taxes. .
Property tax rates vary widely from district to district. This is because districts with more wealth and business infrastructure can earn more local revenue at lower tax rates. The governor's proposal would adjust that and level the playing field for taxpayers and schools.
Berks County residents would be especially helped by this proposal, which includes additional adequacy and tax equity funding.
The Berks School District received an average increase of 17%, which is higher than neighboring counties, as long-standing state funding shortfalls have meant that Berks schools disproportionately pay more in property taxes than other districts. It is recognized that we had to depend.
Many of our legislators come from school districts outside of Berks, which cost local taxpayers less, so they would get less from this proposal. Therefore, it is important to get them behind the budget and tell them how it will level the playing field for students, communities, and taxpayers.
Donna Yousavage
Upper Frederick Township, Montgomery County
