Filing+a+Lawsuit+Against+Pa.

= **FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE** =

=T.E.A.C.H. has been working hand-in-hand with Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Dravosburg) and Marc Gergely (D-White Oak) to file legislation against the state for its inequitable education funding. What the Republican's have done clearly violates Pennsylvania's Constitution which states, "The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth." =

=The inequality of the funding cuts - that poorer districts are impacted more than richer ones - may also raise legal flags. Texas schools have initiated a similar lawsuit and Wisconsin's schools are considering just such legal action.=

=We'd be following a precedent that's already been set. New Jersey was in a similar situation of approximately $1 billion in unnecessary education budget cuts. They filed a lawsuit to their state's Supreme Court and won. We need to do the same.=

=The only downfall is this took a year to reach fruition in Jersey. It will take time here, too.=

=The question is who will file the lawsuit - a coalition of public school districts, the PSEA, grassroots organizations like T.E.A.C.H., the Democratic Caucus or a federation of all of them? We need to find out and TAKE ACTION!=

=To that end, Rep. Kortz and Gergely have been visiting local school districts asking for support. South Allegheny and Steel Valley have passed resolutions. Clairton passed a voice resolution. They want to do a formal one next meeting. =

= Expected to pass at their next meeting is West Mifflin. McKeesport is very interested and looking to pass one soon also. Elizabeth Forward and Brentwood are also considering passing a similar motion. =

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=Once a majority of schools sign on, it will show this measure has popular support and we can find an entity or entities willing to actually file the suit.=

=Clairton school officials support state budget lawsuit= =Steel Valley to join lawsuit over state budget= =SA signs on to possible class action lawsuit against Corbett= =Legislator urges schools to sue Pa. over education fund cut= =Pa. Districts urged to sue over cutbacks= =Schools encouraged to sue Corbett over budget cuts= =MASD Urged to File Lawsuit Against State= = = = = =news= =home=