ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The message was clear: Traditionally underserved school districts in Pennsylvania, including several across the Lehigh Valley, will be underserved no more.
Local state representatives joined members of the state Legislative Latino Caucus to celebrate the level of education funding included in the $47.6 billion state budget that was approved and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro last month.
The budget contains more than $1.1 billion in new funding for school districts, including about $526 million to correct inequities in public education.
“We’re proud this budget helps those who have been under-represented."Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh County
The funding increase comes after Commonwealth Court last year declared that Pennsylvania’s current method of funding for public schools was unconstitutional, citing inequities between the state’s wealthiest and poorest school districts.
“We’re specifically targeting the most at-risk and growing school districts, places like Allentown, Reading, Bethlehem, Lancaster,” said Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh County, chairman of the House Education Committee.
“These are schools that have very large Latino and Hispanic school populations that will be receiving significantly more money.
"The number one factor was prioritizing traditionally underfunded school districts that have high English language learners in it.”
'Able to support their family'
The budget is particularly impactful for Latinos and Hispanics in the Lehigh Valley. They account for 27.2%, or 102,000 residents, of Lehigh County’s population and about 15% of Northampton County’s population.
Allentown is 54% Latino. Bethlehem’s Latino population is 29%, an increase of 21% since 2021, according to U.S. Census data.
“We’re proud this budget helps those who have been under-represented. There’s nothing worse than educating our children for the future and then shutting the door on good-paying jobs."State Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh County
Lehigh County's percentage of Latinos accounts for the highest percentage of that ethnic group in Pennsylvania.
Statewide, the growth in the Latino population made up more than 50% of the population increase over the past 20 years.
State Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh County, said it is equally important that the Legislature ensure not only that children get a good education, but subsequently have an opportunity to find employment that can provide them a living wage.
“We’re proud this budget helps those who have been under-represented,” Siegel said. “There’s nothing worse than educating our children for the future and then shutting the door on good-paying jobs.
"They should be able to support their family and not work for subservient wages.”
The news conference was held at the Casa Guadalupe Center, which provides for the needs of primarily the Latino residents in the Lehigh Valley.
The organization offers services for children, youth, adults and elderly residents in health, education and social services.
'We're just getting started'
The historic, bi-partisan budget also includes increases in investments in economic development, public safety, agriculture and workforce development.
State Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton County, chairman of the State House Finance Committee, emphasized that the budget provides for families to now deduct student loan interest on their state taxes, in addition to federal taxes.
Also increased was funding for affordable housing. The Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund increased from $60 million to $100 million in this budget.
“We also tripled the child-care tax credit, which is now between $600 and $2,100,” Samuelson said. “We’re just getting started.”
Also present at the news conference were state Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Philadelphia County, chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus, and Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks County, secretary of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus.
Both Burgos and Cepeda-Freytiz lauded the increase of education funding for underserved school districts.
'Pushing past every roadblock'
The 2024-25 budget delivers a comprehensive solution on K-12 education in Pennsylvania, including:
- $1.11 billion in total increases in K-12 public education funding — and drives those dollars out in a more equitable manner to the schools that need it most under a new formula
- $100 million in sustainable funding for environmental repair and other facilities in schools to create safe and healthy environments in which students can learn and teachers teach, including $25 million for Solar for Schools
- A $100 million increase for special education funding, reinforcing Pennsylvania’s commitment to equitable education for all students
- A $100 million cyber charter reimbursement to better align tuition with the actual costs of providing an online education and save school districts millions annually.
“We applaud this budget. But we know we can do even better.”Patty Torres, organizing director of Make the Road Pennsylvania
According to a survey by the Lehigh Valley Health Network, the poverty rate of Latino children in Lehigh County is 35.8%, more than 25% higher than non-Latino children.
In Northampton County, the poverty rate among Latino children is 28%, compared with a poverty rate of 9% for non-Latino children.
“We will keep pushing past every roadblock to make sure every community gets what it needs,” said Patty Torres, organizing director of Make the Road Pennsylvania, a social advocate organization.
“We applaud this budget. But we know we can do even better.”
