On Point with Sen. Tim Solobay

Booze for Books is Bad for Pennsylvania

Liquor privatization is a complex issue with serious consequences for local communities. It should not be the only way to adequately fund schools, Solobay said.

The Senate was back in session last week after nearly a month of budget hearings and, despite some growth in the economy, a long series of tough decisions is now ahead of us. The Republican governor has majorities in the House and Senate, but there are growing divisions over his decision to link some major issues as a way to force through his own priorities. Although governors going back to Dick Thornburgh more than 30 years ago have tried to privatize the state liquor store system, Corbett has taken the position that it must done this year or schools will lose the $1 billion that a sell-off could yield.  That’s a decision that has lawmakers on both sides of the aisle resisting because, no matter what area of the state you represent, …

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Roger

9:43 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Quoting: "... He wants to sell the "PA LOTTERY" to a UK Co. ..." Wrong. There is no plan to sell the lottery to anybody.   more ›

How Much Money Would Canon-McMillan School District Get Under Gov. Corbett's Budget?

The Pennsylvania Department of Education lists proposed funds by school district on its website and Patch checked out info for Canon-Mac.

Gov. Tom Corbett's budget is out and, of course, everyone wants to know how much their cut of the budget pie will be—especially school districts. Patch found that Canon-McMillan School District is slated to receive a 3.4 percent  increase from $16.6 million for the 2012-13 school year to $17.1 million for 2013-14 if the governor's proposed budget passes, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website. Funding is broken down into six categories on the website. The Pennsylvania Department of Education numbers are in the screenshot above. Here's a little more analysis: Increases Basic Education Funding—from $10,567,201 to $10,779,124, up 2 percent School Employees' Social Security—$1,038,468 to $1.067,096, up 2.7 percent …

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