It now happens with regularity, over and over again, as Republicans here in Pennsylvania put their self-serving, political agenda ahead of the well being of our families and children. The Republicans use the state budget as if it were a political weapon, floating aimlessly from one self-imposed budget crisis to another without a plan, without solutions, and without vision for the future of our families.
There exists a sacred responsibility that Republicans run and hide from; and that responsibility is to provide our children with the best education we possibly can. The future of our children depends on the quality of education we provide and ultimately the future of our nation depends on it too. Yet the Republicans in Pennsylvania toy with the education of our children for their own political gain. Over and over again they obstruct any responsible plan to solve the crisis. It is time for the Republicans in the State Legislature to stop making noise and instead act on real solutions for the challenges we face.
If the Republicans do not put our families and children first, above and beyond their political agenda, then we face an economic future that is dark. First, more than 23,000 educators will be yanked from our schools. Class size, one of the key elements in academic success, will increase by 30%. Tens of thousands of Pennsylvania children will be denied access to pre-kindergarten depriving them of early childhood education and dimming their chances of future success.
Finally, the end result of this state budget crisis engineered by the Republicans will be an increase in already-too-high property taxes. Republicans don't care if our families and children here in Pennsylvania suffer...as long as they win.