Gov. Wolf Touts 'Life-Changing' Education Plan In Budget Address

PENNSYLVANIA — Gov. Tom Wolf put forth a new education plan in his budget address this week that he hopes will be a "life-changing" force for students in Pennsylvania. The proposal aims to more equitably distribute funding across the state, which supporters say will have a trickle effect on everything from the prison system to the growth of the skilled workforce.

The new plan calls for a $1.9 billion increase in spending on education, money which would be allocated on students across all grades, pre-k through college.

“I want Pennsylvania’s classrooms to be the best in the world," the governor said at a public appearance in Erie on Wednesday.

Specifically, the plan calls for $1.25 million in basic education funding, which would bring the total allocated to the Fair Funding Formula up to $2 billion.

Another $300 million of the increase would be for the Level Up initiative, which provides resources to the state's 100 most underfunded schools. The program began in 2021.

Finally, the proposal calls for a $200 million increase in special education funding.

"When I took office, I vowed to be a force for change for our students, our schools, and our future, and I am proud to say that over the past seven years, we have turned the tide,” the governor added. “We have reversed devastating funding cuts and invested in classrooms. These are historic increases and life-changing improvements, but our work is not finished.”

It's unclear what level of support the proposal will have in the Republican-controlled state legislature, which must vote on the budget soon. Gov. Wolf expressed confidence Wednesday that "we can get it done," and asked for teachers to help him show state legislators why the additional investments were crucial.

Supporters say that the plan is a no-brainer.

"Harrisburg is flush with cash," said Susan Spicka, the executive director of Education Voters of PA. "There is no reason for the General Assembly not to approve these critical investments in our children and in the future of the Commonwealth."

Read the governor's full budget address here.