Wolf Announces Education Funding Distribution Plan, GOP Is Not Happy

Gov. Tom Wolf has announced plans for education funding distribution following a nine-month budget impasse. His plans resulted in backlash from the Republicans.

While the $30 billion Republican budget became law last week after Wolf decided not to veto or sign it, he vetoed the accompanying fiscal code bill, which directs how the money in the budget is spent.

Now, his proposal for distributing education funding has prompted an outcry from Republicans, who say the funding structure is inequitable and the governor cannot override their plans for how the money is distributed.

Republicans say the funding disproportionately favors Philadelphia school district, while leaving many others with less funding than initially proposed under the GOP plan, PennLive.com reports.

“Once again, the governor has proven to have a total disregard for the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission formula that would have finally brought fairness and equity to our public schools," House Majority Leader Dave Reed said.

PennLive.com reports of the $200 million in new education funding, Philadelphia will get $76.8 million, or 38 percent.

The following education funding distribution was announced Tuesday by Gov. Wolf:

For the remainder of the 2015-16 year, looking only at an additional $50 million for Basic Education Funding, money was allocated to districts as follows:

• $25 million is being allocated for the restoration of the charter school reimbursement program.
• $20 million is being allocated to continue to restore cuts made in 2011-12.
• $5 million is being allocated through the new basic education fair funding formula.

An additional $100 million in the Basic Education Funding line over 2014-15 and $50 million in the Ready to Learn Block Grant line was allocated as follows:

• $47.4 million was allocated in an amount equal to the Educational Assistance Program funding allocation in 2010-11.
• $37.6 million was allocated to make up the difference between the 2010-11 and 2014-15 Basic Education Funding totals.
• A $12 million allocation went to the Chester Upland School District and $3 million was allocated to the Wilkinsburg Borough School District to help with severe financial distress.
• The additional $50 million in Ready to Learn Block Grant funding was used to restore the charter reimbursement program that was eliminated by Governor Corbett and the Republican-controlled legislature.

The governor calls the formula "temporary."