Category: Government Actions

Gov. Wolf Vetoes SB 618 (July 1, 2021)

On Thursday, July 1, 2021, Governor Wolf vetoed SB 618, which would have blocked the state, as well as any county, municipality, school district, colleges and universities, from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter buildings, attend classes in person, or undertake any activity. State and local governmental entities would have been similarly restricted, and governments would not have been allowed to include COVID-19 vaccine status on ID cards.

The bill would also have prohibited the PA health secretary from ordering closures or directing people who have not been exposed to a contagion to physically distance, wear a mask, quarantine, or restrict their travel.

To view the bill, click here.

To read more from WFMZ, click here.

PDE Provides Breakdown of State Education Funding by School District (July 1, 2021)

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has posted a spreadsheet breaking down the education funding allocations in the state budget for each school district. This morning Governor Tom Wolf signed the state budget that includes the largest state funding increase for public school students in Pennsylvania history with a $416 million increase for public education, and the groundbreaking Level Up initiative to provide an additional $100 million to the 100 lowest wealth school districts.

“The state budget invests in the places we know resources are needed the most – to help our school communities mitigate learning gaps, break down barriers, build equitable learning environments, and move forward stronger and together,” said Secretary Noe Ortega. “This budget – combined with federal funding – creates opportunities to invite our entire educational ecosystem to the table to collaboratively and inclusively problem solve, address disparities, and develop solutions that will serve our students, our future.”

The budget increases educational efforts by $416 million in state funding for public education. Budget investments include:

  • $200 million increase in the Fair Funding Formula;
  • $100 million to support underfunded school districts through the newly implemented Level Up initiative;
  • $50 million in special education funding;
  • $30 million for early education;
  • $20 million for Ready to Learn;
  • $11 million for preschool Early Intervention; and
  • $5 million for community colleges

For a breakdown of education allocations in the state budget, please visit www.education.pa.gov/budget.

PDE, PDH, and L&I Announce Availability of EBB Funds (June 30, 2021)

The PA Departments of Human Services, Labor & Industry, and Education recently announced the availability of the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, which will assist eligible households in paying for internet service and certain electronic devices. The EBB, which is also administered by the FCC, is a temporary program that provides a discount of up to $50 per month off a qualifying household’s internet bill and associated equipment rental. Additionally, eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 towards a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer, provided that the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The EBB is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household, and the discount will be provided by the FCC directly to the service provider

PDE Encourages Schools and Libraries to Apply for Federal Assistance to Help Close the Digital Divide (June 30, 2021)

On June 29, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced the availability of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), a program that will help eligible schools and libraries close the digital divide and homework gap.

The ECF, which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is a $7.17 billion temporary program that will help cover costs associated with laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons.

“Digital devices and reliable internet are critical resources for learners of all ages, however, the pandemic has increased inequities in access,” said Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “The ECF program will help schools across the state connect classrooms and communities, close the digital divide, and create digital equity.”

Created through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund is considered the nation’s largest single effort to ensure students have access to the digital devices and resources they need for the new school year. The program will also help libraries offer their patrons new ways to connect as well as bring connectivity home.

Schools and libraries that are eligible for support under the FCC’s E-rate Program may request support through the ECF, however, they do not need to be current E-rate participants. Those who are not current members must demonstrate eligibility under the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC’s) application review. ECF will fund modems, routers, Wi-Fi hotspots, laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks up to $400 a device. Purchases must be made between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. USAC is the program administrator. Applications for this program opened on June 29, 2021and will end on August 13, 2021. During the application filing window, eligible schools, libraries, and consortia of eligible schools and libraries, can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. For more information, visit the ECF website. To apply, visit emergencyconnectivityfund.org.

Gov. Wolf Signs Budget with Largest Education Funding Increase in State History (June 30, 2021)

On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, Governor Tom Wolf signed a state budget aimed at helping the commonwealth to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by making the largest investment in public education in state history, by investing in quality, affordable child care for parents who wish to return to the workforce, and by helping Pennsylvanians struggling with mortgage or rent payments stay in their homes.

According to the governor, the budget makes “crucial investments in our future by supporting the students and workers who will drive our economy forward in the years to come.”

The budget outlined in House Bill 1348 makes a historic $416 million increase in state funding for public education. The budget makes crucial investments to support the needs of schools and students, including a $200 million increase in the Fair Funding Formula, $100 million to support underfunded school districts through the Level Up initiative, $50 million in special education funding, $30 million for early education, $20 million for Ready to Learn, $11 million for preschool Early Intervention and $5 million for community colleges. The governor also stated that, “While there is much to celebrate in this bill, it is disappointing that we could not come together to fully provide for the needs of schools across the commonwealth. We need all public education funding to go through the fair funding formula to ensure each school district and each student in our commonwealth are getting the support they need. “