HARRISBURG, Feb. 17, 2016 – As he magnifies the chasm of problems caused by years of inadequate state funding of basic education, state Sen. Vincent Hughes today said he welcomed the City of Philadelphia’s decision to join the lawsuit filed in late 2014 against the commonwealth to reverse the trend.
“The city’s decision to file an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit gives much-needed gravitas to a problem that shouldn’t need it,” Sen. Hughes, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said after learning about the city’s filing.
“The problems are obvious. More and more schools are unable to buy textbooks or new technology because of dwindling state support. Schools’ heating and air conditioning systems are exploding in winter or breaking down during hot school months because of poor state support.
“In short, too many of our children’s lives are in jeopardy and our commonwealth’s future is on the precipice because our schools are using duct tape and spit to keep things working.
“Our schools, teachers and administrators deserve our support and applause for doing what they can to keep kids learning, but the camel’s back is breaking. Thank you, City of Philadelphia, for joining the fight to stop this nightmare,” Hughes said.
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