Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday that he will issue an item veto on school choice proposals to push the state budget through the finish line.
Shapiro vetoed after Democratic Rep. Matt Bradford informed the governor that the Pennsylvania Student Success Award Program (PASS) did not have enough support in the state legislature to pass. announced that it had launched according to in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. A $100 million school voucher program aimed at helping low-income families passed the Republican-controlled state Senate in June as part of a $45.6 billion state budget. (Related: Thousands of students would be harmed if Illinois Democrats void critical school choice program, advocates say)
“Last weekend, President Bradford requested a legal memo from the General Counsel’s Office confirming that my administration cannot legally implement it unless the legislation launching this program becomes effective. I did,” Shapiro said. Said in a press release. “I am aware that at this time both houses will not reach agreement to enact the PASS, and I am not going to put the entire budget process on hold on this issue, so I am requesting an item veto against the full appropriation of the $100 million. and it will not be part of this budget’ statement. “
Households with annual incomes 250% below the federal poverty line would have been eligible to receive taxpayer-funded vouchers through the PASS program beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. according to Head to Penn Live, a Pennsylvania-based outlet. Eligible persons will receive vouchers of up to $15,000.
🚨 BREAKING: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, after previously pledging to support school choice, bowed to the teachers union won and paid for by Democrats in the PA House of Representatives, calling for a voucher program and… pic.twitter.com/0DVUpWEYTj
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 5, 2023
Shapiro has been approved Press releases by several teachers unions, including the Philadelphia Teachers Federation (PFT) Indicated. PFT Chairman Jerry Jordan said the PASS program “is even considering siphoning millions of dollars out of public schools.” report.
Before the plan was vetoed, Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania Education Association, said, “It was very exciting that Governor Shapiro could have been the first governor in Pennsylvania history to sign a school voucher bill. I’m sorry,” he told the show.
Lawmakers across the country are moving to enact school choice bills. In March, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill creating a universal school choice program. On July 4, Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Tuesday signed into law a state budget for 2024-2025 that expands the already established school voucher program.
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