Every child in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the right to an education that prepares them for college or a career. In fact, the Pennsylvania Constitution speaks to the right to a “thorough and efficient” education.
But, throughout Pennsylvania, schools have not received adequate and equitable funding to meet our children’s educational needs.
As part of the ongoing work to ensure public school students in Pennsylvania have the resources they need to receive an education that prepares them for college and career, a lawsuit was filed by legal advocates on behalf of families and school districts.
From 10 AM – 12 PM on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, We The People-PA and The PA Budget & Policy Center will be joining Education Voters PA, legislators, and other advocates for a rally on our state capitol steps. We’re asking you to join us to show your support for a fully funded public education system.
Click here for the link to register!
ADVISORY– Monday–NEW REPORT/Press Conference: Affordable Rental Housing After the Pandemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 7, 2022
Contacts: Kirstin Snow, snow@pennbpc.org, Jodi Hirsh, jodi@sequalconsulting.com, Melissa McCleery, melissa@onrosehill.com,
Where families stand now and what the legislature can do about it
WHAT: Report release and rally in the Rotunda for permanent eviction prevention and expanded rental assistance
WHO: Groups – Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, Make the Road Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh United
Legislators – Sen. Nikil Saval, Rep. Sara Innamorato, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler
FEATURING: PA residents who applied for rental assistance during the pandemic tell the story of their experiences
WHEN: 10:00 AM, Monday, April 11
WHERE: Capitol Rotunda steps
MORE: Pennsylvania faced a pre-pandemic housing affordability problem, but the crisis has made matters worse. We will look at who Pennsylvania’s renters are, who was housing cost burdened before the pandemic, and the number of people at risk of eviction now. We examine critical social policies put in place to protect renters at risk—namely, eviction moratoriums and rental relief programs. And finally, we provide a detailed housing agenda for Pennsylvania, which includes both short-term and long-term recommendations for keeping renters in their homes. Get the PBPC report and listen to the testimonies of people who applied for rental assistance during the pandemic.
After the event, speakers will take questions from the media.
PA Budget and Policy Center – https://krc-pbpc.org/
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) is a nonpartisan, statewide policy research project of the Keystone Research Center that provides independent, credible analysis on state tax, budget, and related policy matters with attention to the impact of policy proposals on working individuals and families.
Make the Road Pennsylvania – https://www.maketheroadpa.org/ Make the Road Pennsylvania is the largest Latinx organization in the state of Pennsylvania. With 10,000 members, we are dedicated to organizing the working class in Latinx communities, building power for justice. to achieve the respect and dignity that every human being deserves. We commit to developing and expanding leadership and power that is already present in our communities.
Pittsburgh United – https://pittsburghunited.org/ Pittsburgh United is a coalition of community, labor, faith, and environmental organizations committed to advancing the vision of a community and economy that works for all people.
Symposium- Tuesday 630PM- Threats to the Pennsylvania Constitution
We are writing to invite you to a symposium on Threats to the Pennsylvania Constitution, which will be held on-line on Tuesday April 12, 2022, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. You can register for it here: http://tinyurl.com/threatstoPAConstitution.
The representative democracy established by our state constitution is under serious threat. Members of the General Assembly have put forward a series of constitutional amendments that in dramatic ways would change how we choose legislators and Appellate court justices and judges as well as change the balance of power between the different branches of government.
The process by which these amendments are being put forward is questionable as well. They are not receiving public hearings at which all voices can be heard, and some have been put on the ballot at times when turnout is low.
Register here to learn more: http://tinyurl.com/threatstoPAConstitution.
We at PA Budget and Policy Center have joined with Common Cause, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, the New Pennsylvania Project and the Judicial Independence Project of Pennsylvania to host this symposium. It will be moderated by the retired President-Judge of the Philadelphia Commons Pleas court, Frederica Massiah-Jackson. The panelists will be:
- Craig Green, Professor of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law
- Bruce Ledewitz, Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of La
- Rogers Smith, Professor of Political Science, University of Pennsylvania
We have asked these jurists and academics to explain these amendments to us, evaluate the process under which they are being considered, and talk to us about the impact they might have on the checks and balances and our democracy.
Please join us. Click here to register: http://tinyurl.com/threatstoPAConstitution.
In Solidarity,
Marc, Nick, Vivienne, Jay, and the rest of the WTP-PA team
