A Stronger Future for Students Across Pennsylvania

Rep. Melissa Cerrato July 17, 2026

Dear Friends,

This year’s state budget is focused on the challenges many Pennsylvanians are facing right now. Families are working harder than ever, yet the basic things that make life stable and secure continue to grow more expensive. The cost of housing, groceries, utilities, childcare and healthcare takes a larger share of every paycheck. This budget is designed to ease some of those pressures. It focuses on affordability, strong schools and safe communities, and it supports economic growth and good jobs across Pennsylvania. It accomplishes all of this without raising taxes.

Over the next several weeks, I will share a clear breakdown of different parts of the budget so you can see exactly where investments are being made. This week, I want to focus on education.

For four years in a row, Pennsylvania has increased its investment in public schools. These sustained increases come at a time when enrollment in many districts has grown, classroom needs have become more complex and mandated costs have continued to rise. Every child in Pennsylvania deserves access to a quality education no matter their ZIP code, and continued investment is necessary to meet that goal.

This budget increases funding for public schools by $670 million. Within that total, $565 million is dedicated to adequacy funding. Adequacy funding directs more support to students and school communities that have been underfunded for decades. It reflects the findings of the Commonwealth Court, which concluded that many districts did not have the basic resources needed to meet state standards. Nearly three quarters of school districts across Pennsylvania fall below adequacy benchmarks, so this funding will help bring schools closer to what students actually need to succeed.

The budget also includes more than $50 million in additional basic education funding and special education funding. Special education enrollment in Pennsylvania has grown significantly over the past ten years, and many districts are struggling to cover the increased cost of services. This investment is meant to ensure that students with learning or physical needs receive timely support and that schools do not have to cut elsewhere to provide those services.

Education today involves much more than reading, writing and math. Students are growing up in an online world that presents real risks. This budget addresses social media literacy and cyber bullying, and it builds protections to make sure artificial intelligence is not used to harm students or create illegal content. It strengthens how schools respond when bullying happens in person and encourages earlier communication with families, so concerns are addressed before they grow more serious.

Students who attend cyber charter schools should receive the same protections and support as students who learn inside traditional school buildings. This budget reinforces that expectation and establishes meaningful consequences when student safety is not treated as a priority.

Healthy school environments are a priority as well. This budget guarantees recess for students in kindergarten through grade five because research shows that regular physical activity supports focus, improved behavior and stronger academic performance. It also gives districts flexibility to use existing funding if they decide that a later start time will benefit student health and learning.

School safety remains a central concern for families across Pennsylvania. This year, the state is investing $121 million in grants for school safety and student mental health. These grants help districts strengthen security measures, expand counseling services and build partnerships with local mental health providers. The goal is to identify problems early and prevent tragedies before they happen.

For the first time, the state will compile a comprehensive assessment of the safety of school buildings across Pennsylvania. First responders will have access to school floor plans, which will allow them to react more quickly and accurately during emergencies. The results of this statewide assessment will guide future investments so that students, educators and staff are protected in every region of the Commonwealth.

Support for students continues after high school. The budget increases funding for state owned and state related colleges and universities. These institutions educate more than 230,000 students each year and are critical to Pennsylvania’s workforce.

The budget also maintains funding for the Student Teacher Stipend Program. This program helps future educators complete their required classroom training without facing financial hardship at a time when Pennsylvania is experiencing teacher shortages in several subject areas.

The budget also delivers a strong boost for Career and Technical Education programs, providing about $141.7 million for the Secondary Career and Technical Education Subsidy, which is an increase of $10 million over last year and also includes $20 million for Career and Technical Education Equipment Grants. We believe it is important to show a clear commitment to strengthening career and technical training opportunities for students across the Commonwealth.

Altogether, this budget is about giving students the resources, protections and opportunities they need from their first day of school through college and into their careers.

Stay tuned for more budget breakdown next week….

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars, HD 151! ??

We have a busy fall ahead with several great community events coming up, and I would love to see you there. From veterans resources and paper shredding to e-waste recycling, family resources, college prep, and our holiday open house, there is something for everyone.

Save the dates, share with your neighbors, and come out to take advantage of these helpful community resources.

Hope to see you this fall! ??