Rep. Glen Grell (R-Hampden Township) today issued the following statement after recently voting against House Bill 704.  This legislation, drafted by Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster), would alter the formula by which state special education funding is distributed to school districts throughout Pennsylvania.

“During House floor debate on this bill, I questioned the bill’s sponsor on why House members were not provided information on anticipated funding distributions to school districts under the proposed new formula.  His answer was vague and unsatisfactory to me and made it impossible for me to glean how Camp Hill, Cumberland Valley, East Pennsboro Area and West Shore school districts would be funded in the future.

“Since this bill does not provide specific details on how this new funding formula would be applied, I withheld my support until I am certain that the schools in the 87th District will be treated fairly.  I urge the state Senate to require greater specificity of the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ under the new funding scheme.

“Over the past several years, central Pennsylvania has been slighted by these so-called ‘equity funding formulas.’  The state’s current education funding system is skewed so that more taxpayer dollars are directed to urban school districts while suburban and rural schools receive less.”

Rep. Glen Grell

87th District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

(717) 783-2063

Contact:  Tim Eller

teller@pahousegop.com

(717) 260-6242

Member site:  RepGrell.com

Caucus site:  PAHouseGOP.com