Protecting Public Education

By Steven J. Santarsiero

Steve has fought to protect funding for public education and higher education. Steve believes that a strong education system is critical to the success of our children.

Steve has fought to protect funding for public education. In his first term, he voted for two budgets that increased funding for basic and higher education while at the same reduced overall spending. As a result, education funding increased without the need for an increase in either the state income or sales taxes.

In his second term, Steve has been a consistent opponent of Governor Corbett's cuts to basic and higher education. Despite Steve's efforts, the Republican-controlled legislature cut over $1 billion in basic education funding (i.e., K-12) and over $300 million in higher education funding (i.e., for our state universities and our state related universities, Pitt, Penn State, Temple and Lincoln) in FY 2011-2012. Not surprisingly, this misguided policy resulted in increased property taxes, the elimination of programs and a rise in tuition throughout Pennsylvania.

Now Governor Corbett and the Republicans are again proposing cuts to basic and higher education. Once again, Steve is helping to lead the fight to stop these cuts because he knows that our children are our future.