Extra Money For Distressed Schools Proposed In Bill

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sixteen financially distressed school districts across Pennsylvania, including the Reading School District, could soon be getting a bit of extra help.

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a school funding bill Friday that includes extra money for school districts facing financial disasters.

The bill was expected to be considered by the full Senate today. If approved, it would mean an extra $3.7 million for Reading.

Reading is the only Berks County school that would qualify for extra funds.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=396446

Corbett Signs Legislation To Allow Harrisburg Financial Takeover

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Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has signed legislation that will allow a state takeover of Harrisburg’s financial affairs. The capital of Pennsylvania is drowning in debt from a failed retrofit of the city’s incinerator.  Harrisburg is over $300 million in debt. 

Harrisburg was accepted into the Act 47 Program for financially distressed municipalities but City Council failed to authorize the recommendations made by the Act 47 team.  Neither was the city able to come up their own plan to emerge from certain bankruptcy.  

Disgusted with the inability of city leadership to move forward, Pennsylvania State Senator Jeff Piccola introduced legistion to allow the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to take control of Harrisburg’s finances.  This legislation was signed by the governor this morning.

Harrisburg Moving Closer To State Financial Takeover

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 185 – 9 in favor of a bill that will allow a state-appointed receiver to take control of Harrisburg’s finances.

It is also very liked this bill will overwhelmingly pass in the PA State Senate!

Harrisburg is a financially distressed community under ACT 47.  City Council has refused to comply with recommendations made by the Act 47 team and the mayor’s proposal was also vetoed.

PA State Senator Jeff Piccola is leading the charge for a state takeover.  Harrisburg is hundreds of millions of dollars in debt from a failed incinerator retrofit.

Governor Corbett is expected to sign the bill when it reaches his desk.