A bill increasing transparency for institutions of higher education
In the wake of the sudden closing to the University of the Arts, state Reps. Ben Waxman and Bob Merski announced that they will be introducing legislation to help prevent abrupt closures of higher education institutions in Pennsylvania.
This legislation would require colleges or universities to provide financial information yearly if they receive state funds or federal funds distributed by the state. The lawmakers believe that this proposal would ensure transparency for the state, students and staff of higher education institutions and continued good stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
“When I heard about UArts’ closure, I immediately shared feelings of anger and disappointment with the students who won’t have the same school to attend and faculty who will be losing their jobs,” Waxman said. “I want to ensure no student or school faculty member in Pennsylvania has to go through what those at UArts are going through right now. By requiring these schools to regularly notify us of their financial information, we can create greater accountability and transparency across the board.”
The lawmakers say that having this information from schools on a yearly basis helps the legislature, schools, students and faculty plan ahead in two ways under the unfortunate circumstance a school impends closure. It can give the legislature time to intervene and possibly help prevent a school from closing.
If a school must close, it can give their students and faculty a well-timed, non-abrupt notification, allowing them more time to adjust their future education and career plans.
State Rep. Jordan Harris, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said that academic institutions and their students in Pennsylvania should be able to turn to the legislature when facing issues.
“All students, whether in public or private institutions, are commonwealth students. When they face issues, they turn to the commonwealth for solutions,” Harris said. “As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. This legislation would ensure that as a matter of public policy.”
Postpartum Depression Awareness Act passes House unanimously
A bill that would increase awareness of perinatal and postpartum depression and treatment options was a topic of discussion as mothers and maternal health advocates rallied with members of the House on the bill’s importance and the House passed it.
Introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, Gina Curry and Lisa Borowski, H.B. 2127 would empower the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign to inform Pennsylvanians about the symptoms and effects of PPD. It also would direct the department to centralize access to organizations that provide counseling for PPD on their website and on fact sheets available in doctor’s offices.
“New mothers deserve to feel supported, not alone, in the time before and after a new baby arrives. Our current lack of resources for perinatal depression effectively strips new mothers of agency in understanding their mental health,” Fiedler said. “Having widely available education materials on these conditions will empower new parents to support themselves and their babies. All women and ‘pregnant people’ deserve the opportunity to prioritize their health, whether that means access to miscarriage management medication, abortion or counseling for postpartum depression.”
PPD is distinct from what some call “baby blues,” feelings of sadness or anxiety that last only a few days or weeks. It is a longer-lasting, more severe type of depression. According to the Health Department, “Mental health conditions, which include substance use, was the leading cause of death for both pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated but not related cases.”
The bill now awaits Senate consideration.
Fiedler bill to modernize PA Energy Development Authority
A bill introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler was approved unanimously by the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee.
The bill would update the duties and powers of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, which was chartered in 1982 with the purpose of financing energy and energy-related projects. If enacted, it would enable PEDA to apply for and leverage billions of federal dollars available through the Inflation Reduction Act to incentivize investments in Pennsylvania clean-energy projects.
With the federal government now implementing the $550 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the $783 billion Inflation Reduction Act, Fiedler said she believes this presents an incredible opportunity for Pennsylvania.
“These federal investments can jumpstart energy production in Pennsylvania, create good local jobs and reduce energy costs for consumers, but only if we have the right vehicle to seize the funds,” Fiedler said. “PEDA, our state’s public energy financing authority, is well-suited to play this role, but first we must modernize PEDA to ensure it can maximize its role as an energy accelerator and job creator.”
PA House Delegation lauds passage of equitable school funding
The state House of Representatives passed legislation lauded by members of the House Philadelphia Delegation that would fundamentally change the way that school districts are funded in the state to meet the constitutional mandate of equitably funding schools.
The bill is based on the recommendations of the Basic Education Funding Commission, which took testimony and gathered information through public hearings across the state following a Commonwealth Court decision that ruled the state’s existing school funding formula is unconstitutional and ordered the legislature to fix it.
The School District of Philadelphia is projected to see a total one-year increase of $361,936,607 under House Bill 2370, including almost $116 million in savings through standardized cyber charter spending.
Chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation Rep. Morgan Cephas said the formula change has been a long time coming.
“This legislature has been working on a fair funding formula for countless years now. I’m so proud that we have finally realized a plan to help uplift our chronically underfunded schools in the School District of Philadelphia,” Cephas said. “Our children would see an equitable investment in their future with this targeted funding. Fairly funding education is a top priority for our delegation in the state budget, while creating transparency and accountability for our cyber charters. This plan will benefit all students and taxpayers in our city.”
Rep. Mary Isaacson is a member of the Basic Education Funding Commission and was involved in creating the legislation in the House Education Committee.
“We are constitutionally required to enact a thorough and efficient system of public education and in this historic moment we are finally realizing fair, equitable and adequate funding for all schools,” Isaacson said. “As a member of the Basic Education Funding Commission, I talked with students, faculty and staff across the state to help devise our recommendations, which are reflected in this bill today. This is a big win for the School District of Philadelphia and underfunded rural, urban and suburban schools across Pennsylvania. Students will no longer have their educational opportunities determined by their ZIP code.”
A rally for afterschool program funding
A coalition of elected officials, students and advocates rallied in the state Capitol to support a dedicated funding source for after-school programs across Pennsylvania. Led by Sunrise of Philadelphia, a community-based after-school program and family resource provider, advocates spoke about the need for safe environments for students after traditional school hours.
After-school programs — sometimes called out-of-school, or OST, programs — are defined as programs that provide learning opportunities, workforce development or mentoring relationships following the school day.
Many of these programs focus on STEM, art or other areas that may be overshadowed during school hours. They give students space to receive mentorship, develop socially and learn career and leadership skills to prepare them for the work force.
Attendees called for dedicated, recurring funding in the state budget for after-school programs. In his budget address earlier this year, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed $11.5 million to establish the Building Opportunity through Out of School Time program.
“Investment in after-school programming and out-of-school time activities is investment in care, safety and our collective future,” said state Sen. Nikil Saval. “Care right now creates positive change in children’s lives that extends into their higher education, their careers, their future opportunities and their impact on our world. The importance of this work is immeasurable. I look forward to advocating for it on behalf of my constituents and all Pennsylvanians.”
Children in after-school programs attend school more often, get better grades and are more likely to graduate. Because they provide safe and supervised places for students to spend their time, these programs reduce youth violence while improving graduation rates.
“The Ignite program showed me that after school is a very welcoming place … after school taught me that not all challenges I face have to be done alone,” said Jalen Clark Carr, after-school youth ambassador for the state. “It helped me see that even though dangerous stuff is around me, I don’t have to be a part of it.”
But due to a lack of funding, families struggle to find and afford out-of-school time programs. For every student enrolled in an after-school program, four are waiting to enroll. Research suggests that more than 700,000 children are waiting to take advantage of an OST program statewide.
“Our economy in PA simply would not function without after-school programming,” said state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, co-chair of the House Afterschool Caucus. “To give every student the opportunity to safely explore their favorite subjects, career skills and more, we must fight for after-school funding in this year’s budget. I can think of no better way to invest our tax dollars.”
Become an organ donor
The Gift of Life Donor Program is celebrating 50 years by trying to sign up 50,000 organ donors. Organ donors are wanted regardless of age, health or medical history and can sign up online without going through the state and putting it on their driver’s licenses. To sign up for the 50 for 50,000 campaign, go to donors1.org/register. For more information, visit donors1/org/50th. ••
Philly native releases novel
Philadelphia native and independent author Christopher Tait has released his fifth self-published novel, Three Days in West Chester, through Amazon.com. He has also previously self-published three short story collections. He has also written and directed six short films since 2016, all available on YouTube, and has had short plays produced as part of festivals by local theater companies.
Three Days in West Chester begins in 1995, when high school junior and drummer Derek Mooney unexpectedly learns that he is the only student from his school to earn a spot on a prestigious band made up of the top high school musicians in Philadelphia. Over a three-day rehearsal period at a school in West Chester, he’ll deal with a conductor who takes an instant dislike to him, fellow musicians who don’t think he belongs there, a crush on a bandmate whom he knows he can never be with and a homemade spaghetti and meatball dinner that violently disagrees with him. He will also play the best he’s ever played, make friends with students from a rival school and fall in love with someone he’d never truly noticed before.
The novel’s inspiration comes from the author’s own experience of playing in the All-Catholic Band when he was a junior at Father Judge (represented in the novel by its fictional counterpart, St. Francis De Sales Catholic High School). The author played drums for many years.
An excerpt from the novel can be found at https://taitdog.wordpress.com/. The novel can be purchased on Amazon.com at this link: Three Days in West Chester: Tait, Christopher: 9798323435135: Amazon.com: Books ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
June 21: Corinne Bailey Rae
June 28: It’s Happening w/Snooki & Joey
July 13: Clay Walker
July 19: Debbie Gibson
July 26: Kameron Marlowe
Aug. 3: Tyler Henry, The Hollywood Medium
Aug. 23: The Marshall Tucker Band
Sept. 7: Australian Pink Floyd
Sept. 21: Dustin Lynch
Oct. 4: Heather McDonald
Oct. 18: Straight No Chaser
Oct. 19: Giggly Squad Live
Oct. 25: Michael Blaustein
Nov. 9: Air Supply
Nov. 21: Aaron Lewis
Nov. 23: Steve Trevino
Dec. 7: Kathleen Madigan ••
Bus trip to Lancaster County
St. William Travel is planning a trip to Lancaster County on June 20. There will be a Magic & Wonder Theater show, buffet lunch at Shady Maple, round trip by motorcoach, with all taxes and gratuities included. The costs $120. Bus departs from Gloria Dei Estates, 1304 Rhawn St., at 9:15 a.m. and returns 6:15 p.m. Call 215-745-7199. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Trip to Northern Europe
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is presenting a Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and London cruise, July 25 to Aug. 4, aboard the new “Norwegian Prima.”
Rates per person are $6,261 and $6,495, which include roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia.
Deposit of $350 per person double occupancy is required when booking.
Call 215-788-9408. ••
Party for West Catholic girls class of ‘69
West Catholic Girls Class of 1969 will have its 55th anniversary party on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Anthony’s Ristorante, 865 W. Springfield Road, Springfield. The cost for the luncheon is $65. Call Hannah at 610-764-3249. ••
Ukrainian Folk Festival in August
The Ukrainian Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, from noon to 8 p.m., at the Ukrainian American Sport Center — Tryzub, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham.
There will be Ukrainian folk art, music, dance, crafts and historical reenactments, a variety of food and refreshments and a vendors grove. Admission is $15, and a portion will be donated to relief of war victims in Ukraine. Kids under 15 will be admitted free. Parking is free. Call 267-664-3857, email info@tryzub.org or visit www.tryzub.org. ••
