Issue Position: Education and Property Tax Reform

Issue Position

Pennsylvania should take pride in its recent educational achievements and continue to move forward to make sure our students are ready for the jobs of tomorrow. Eugene also believes we need to enact real property tax reform.

* More accountability. Though progress has been made, Eugene believes we need to continue to ask for more accountability from Administrators, Principal, Teachers and our students. Pennsylvania is investing significant resources in education and we must ensure that money is invested wisely and effectively.
* Reduce property taxes and equalize funding. Eugene supports reducing or eliminating local property taxes. In 2008, DePasquale led the effort to make initial changes to the school funding formula; as a result, growing counties are receiving a fairer share of education funding from the state and low income districts are getting the investment they need to ensure all children have a chance to achieve their dreams.
* Invest in early education. Pennsylvania's Pre-K Counts program has given thousands of children a chance to begin kindergarten ready to learn. Eugene believes continuing to fund this program is a critical investment if we are to give all children hope and to ensure our children can compete for the jobs of the future.

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