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For Immediate
Release
6/30/11
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Legislature to Return $50 Million Surplus for Public Schools
HARRISBURG - House and Senate Republicans today announced
that the General Assembly has agreed to return $50 million in surplus revenue to
the Commonwealth's general fund budget in order to provide more funding for
public schools across Pennsylvania.
"We certainly recognize the difficult financial situation
school districts are facing," explained Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph
Scarnati (R-25th Senatorial District). "That is why we have agreed to return $50
million in funds which were appropriated to the general assembly in order to
provide funding for the Pennsylvania Accountability Block Grant Program which
school districts can use for important programs and services for their
students."
The Pennsylvania Accountability Block Grant Program will
receive a total of $100 million in the budget that the Legislature sent to
Governor Corbett yesterday. The program ensures that taxpayer dollars are
focused in the areas most likely to increase student achievement including early
childhood education.
"Returning 20 percent of our annual operating expenses as
part of this year's budget agreement is an important first step toward our goal
of eliminating all legislative account surplus funds in excess of a reasonable
reserve," Speaker Sam Smith (R-66th Legislative District) said. "Putting the
money towards education, and particularly the Accountability Block Grant, will
give our school districts the flexibility they want to help them get through
these difficult economic times."
Contact:
Casey Long
(717) 787-7084
Steve Miskin
(717) 772-9943
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