Representatives of Children First, PA Youth Vote and Teach Plus PA last week visited the office of state Sen. Joe Picozzi to thank him for voting in favor of the recent $50.8 billion budget.
Noting that the state has a constitutional obligation to fully fund schools, the officials were pleased that the budget included another installment of increased education funding.
The budget will send $526 million more in adequacy and tax equity funding to low-wealth public schools, including $136 million to the School District of Philadelphia, which is the largest of Pennsylvania’s 500 districts.
It’s the third consecutive increase in adequacy funds, money the groups believe has led to recent academic progress.
Among those on hand was Priyanka Reyes-Kaura, K-12 Education Policy Director, Children First.
Picozzi listened to feedback from Eric Hitchner, a teacher at New Foundations Charter High School; Sarah-Julia Marion, a 2024 graduate of Parkway Northwest and a rising sophomore at Hampton University; and Mariel Rodriguez, a 2026 graduate of Academy at Palumbo who will attend Penn State.
Picozzi, the Senate’s youngest member, said his focus is on issues such as safety, education, infrastructure and community spaces.
As for the budget, he explained that it included a cost-of-living adjustment for retired teachers.
Looking ahead to the next legislative session, he’d like to see more support for career and technical education, English as a Second Language teachers, early childhood education/literacy and additional school electives. ••
