State budget increases funding toward education

Jul. 10—School districts throughout Mercer County and the rest of Pennsylvania will see an increase in education funding under the state's new budget.

The budget, which was recently approved by Gov. Tom Wolf and the state General Assembly, includes "historic" funding increases toward education, said Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

The PSEA represents about 178,000 active and retired educators, school employees, student teachers, higher education staff and health care workers in Pennsylvania, according to a press release.

The budget includes more than $1 billion in state funding increases for public schools, which will make a difference in the lives of Pennsylvania's 1.7 million students, Askey said.

"We are very pleased that the lawmakers who voted for this budget joined Gov. Wolf in making public education and Pennsylvania students a priority," Askey said.

"Our students need all the supports and resources that they can get, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This budget takes a big step toward putting our students on a path to success."

Some of the increases to school funds include a basic education subsidy of $525 million, basic education Level-Up payment of $225 million, special education subsidy of $100 million, school safety and security grants of $100 million, school mental health grants of $100 million, $6.1 million toward career and technical education, $124 million toward pupil transportation, $60 million toward pre-K Counts, and $19 million toward Head Start supplemental assistance.

State Rep. Mark Longietti, D-7, Hermitage, said the budget "spends responsibly" while making "historic investments" in public education, according to a press release. Longietti is the minority chair of the state House Education Committee.

Some of the budget's highlights include investments in early education and higher education, as well as $2.35 million in funding toward Invent Penn State, which would help fund entrepreneurial programs at Penn State branch campuses, including Penn State Shenango.

"I worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft a budget that would deliver the kind of meaningful education funding that has been long overdue for Pennsylvania's public schools," Longietti said.

According to the press release from Longietti's office, funding for local school districts includes:

— Farrell Area School District, which will receive $2 million for basic education, a 24.7 percent increase; and $100,000 for special education, a 10.5 percent increase.

— Greenville Area School District, which will receive $836,600 for basic education, an 11.3 percent increase; and $102,300 for special education, a 9.1 percent increase.

— Hermitage School District, which will receive $490,000 for basic education, a 7.5 percent increase; and $102,300 for special education, an 8 percent increase.

— Reynolds Area School District, which will receive $373,300 for basic education, a 4.6 percent increase; and $71,700 for special education, a 6.7 percent increase.

— Sharon City School District, which will receive $2.9 million for basic education, a 17.1 percent increase; and $227,500 for special education, an 11.4 percent increase.

— Sharpsville Area School District, which will receive $393,800 for basic education, a 6 percent increase; and $88,700 for special education, a 10.6 percent increase.

— West Middlesex Area School District, which will receive $96,400 for basic education, a 1.8 percent increase; and $55,200 for special education, a 7.3 percent increase.

Aside from education, other budget highlights include $125 million for a program to assist needy homeowners with repairs, $100 million to expand affordable housing, $100 million to improve mental health services, $90 million to stabilize child care and create a new state child and dependent care credit, and a return of $2.1 billion to the Rainy Day Fund.

As "prime sponsor" of Senate Bill 447, which would reduce the state corporate net income tax rate, State Sen. Michele Brooks, R-50, Jamestown, said in a statement that she was pleased to see the state budget include a decrease in the CNI.

Under the new budget, the CNI would decrease from 9.99 percent, which Brooks said was among the highest in the country, to 8.99 percent.

After that initial decrease, the CNI would be incrementally decreased by a one-half percent annually until 2031, when the rate reaches 4.99 percent.

This rollback would help existing businesses expand their workforce, attract new businesses to Pennsylvania, and ease the burden on Pennsylvanians who are dealing with inflation, "skyrocketing" gas prices and other ballooning costs, Brooks said.

"It's a misconception that only large corporations are helped by a reduction in the CNI rate, "Brooks said. "It helps local family-owned manufacturers and businesses who have invested here at home in local jobs, and all consumers who are dealing with prices that reflect costs that businesses pass on to them at the cash register," Brooks said.

Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at .

Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at ddye@sharonherald.com.