It’s been a tough stretch for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, what with criminal charges and a civil lawsuit being lobbed at several priests and high-ranking church officials.
But there may be better news today from Harrisburg.
The debate will start today in the Capitol on Senate Bill 1. It would allow something that the archdiocese has long coveted, vouchers for students to attend private schools.
The idea has been bandied about for years, but it’s always been shot down. Gov. Tom Ridge was one of the first to push a similar measure, with no luck.
But this year could be different. Gov. Tom Corbett has Republican majorities in both the state Senate and House.
That does not mean it will be a pushover. Organized labor and the powerful teachers unions will fight the measure tooth and nail, as they always have.
The bill being pushed by Sen. Jeff Piccola, a Dauphin County Republican, would allow students to use the per-pupil state subsidy sent to their local school district to attend a private or religious schools.
And this time he has formed something of an Odd Couple with an unusual ally, Democratic state Sen. Anthony Williams, who covers a slice of eastern Delaware County.
Obviously, proponents of public school, especially those already hard hit by budget woes, such as the William Penn District here in Delco, think this is something akin to anathema.
It will be one of the first major tests for the Corbett Administration.
The AFL-CIO has already informed the new governor they will oppose the plan, as well as another controversial move to privatize state stores and get Pa. out of the booze business.
It should make for a fascinating – and heated – debate. We’ll keep you tuned in.
But there may be better news today from Harrisburg.
The debate will start today in the Capitol on Senate Bill 1. It would allow something that the archdiocese has long coveted, vouchers for students to attend private schools.
The idea has been bandied about for years, but it’s always been shot down. Gov. Tom Ridge was one of the first to push a similar measure, with no luck.
But this year could be different. Gov. Tom Corbett has Republican majorities in both the state Senate and House.
That does not mean it will be a pushover. Organized labor and the powerful teachers unions will fight the measure tooth and nail, as they always have.
The bill being pushed by Sen. Jeff Piccola, a Dauphin County Republican, would allow students to use the per-pupil state subsidy sent to their local school district to attend a private or religious schools.
And this time he has formed something of an Odd Couple with an unusual ally, Democratic state Sen. Anthony Williams, who covers a slice of eastern Delaware County.
Obviously, proponents of public school, especially those already hard hit by budget woes, such as the William Penn District here in Delco, think this is something akin to anathema.
It will be one of the first major tests for the Corbett Administration.
The AFL-CIO has already informed the new governor they will oppose the plan, as well as another controversial move to privatize state stores and get Pa. out of the booze business.
It should make for a fascinating – and heated – debate. We’ll keep you tuned in.
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