Wolf Pushes Education in Robb School Visit
LOCK HAVEN — Gov. Tom Wolf (D) brought his push for education to Robb Elementary School Friday afternoon.
Wolf visited the classrooms of kindergarten teacher Judy Rishel and fourth grade instructor Tanya Brooks, engaging students in both. He answered media questions to end his hour-long, previously unannounced visit. An aide said Robb was the 15th school he has visited, part of a three month campaign to boost funding for education.
The Democratic governor emphasized two themes as part of his recently introduced budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.
He said the state has allowed too much reliance to be placed on local school property taxes; instead he has proposed increasing state aid from 35 percent to 50 percent for local districts. In the Keystone Central School District, Wolf said, real estate taxes would be reduced almost 90 percent, part of an effort to “reduce the burden on property owners.”
Wolf said he wants Harrisburg to provide more aid to local school districts, proposing a $1.7 million increase for Keystone Central in next year’s submitted budget. He cited America’s historical early lead in providing public education, saying the country needs to “rediscover” that philosophy.
Relative to dealing with a Republican legislature, Wolf said he is hoping for a “shared sense” in addressing Pennsylvania’s problems and said he will be engaged in a several month “conversation” leading up to budget adoption. He said his proposals which include a call for an increase in the state sales tax and a cut in state business taxes should provide “the basis for a nice conversation.”
