Fund public schools

Published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020

Rep. Mary Isaacson    February 19, 2020 | 4:32 PM

I read with disgust the piece about “school choice” by Vice President Mike Pence.

I find it disheartening that the vice president is trying to hoodwink Pennsylvanians into buying his idea of “choice,” when what he’s peddling is a plan that is not equitable for all Pennsylvania children. It seems the vice president is unfamiliar with our state constitution, since it enshrines the maintenance and support of “a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the commonwealth.”

Additionally, our state constitution says, “No money raised for the support of the public schools of the commonwealth shall be appropriated to or used for the support of any sectarian school.” So, how about the vice president join elected officials like me who are familiar with what our state constitution demands and ensure that our public schools are adequately funded?

Some of our Philadelphia schools aren’t safe for our children and their educators. How about we ensure that all parents have the choice to send their children to schools that won’t endanger their well-being? While we’re waiting to see if that will ever happen, I’ll be fighting for sn education system, a Philadelphia and a Pennsylvania that works for everyone.

Published in the Philadelphia Inquirer Dialogue section, Feb. 17, 2020. Online at https://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/PhiladelphiaInquirer/Default.aspx.

Send Feedback