Gergely+-+How+State+Budget+Affects+the+Mon-Valley

= ** Gergely votes 'No' on GOP budget ** =

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= This week I voted against the state budget crafted by Governor Corbett and legislative Republicans. This is a bad budget with massive cuts to public schools, Pitt and job creation that will shift the tax burden to property taxpayers. = = **$61 MILLION CUT FOR ALLEGHENY COUNTY SCHOOLS** = = The Gov. Corbett-Republican budget has a $1 billion cut for public schools in Pennsylvania. In our communities, the massive cuts are forcing schools to raise taxes on homeowners, lay off hundreds of teachers, cram more students into classrooms and eliminate tutoring programs. = = Watch a video of my remarks during House debate about the future of the Duquesne City School District and the impact of this bad budget on all our schools. = = ** DUQUESNE SCHOOLS ** = = Senator Brewster and I helped restore $2.8 million for the school, but I'm not satisfied that the school will still receive $1.2 million less than last year. It's irresponsible for legislative Republicans to have waited until the final hours of the budget process to release the details. The secrecy left students, parents and the district twisting in the wind as they waited to find out about the future of their school. That's unfair and cruel. = = I pledge to be actively involved and engage in any discussion of closing the Duquesne Education Center, which would require legislative approval. We must include all stakeholders – parents, community leaders and residents – in the discussion and never lose sight that our ultimate goals should be to provide a quality education to your children. = = **$250 MILLION CUT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION** = = Pitt, Penn State, California, Indiana and Clarion will each suffer an 18 percent cut in state funding. These schools depend on state support to lower in-state tuition. I cannot support a budget that will lead to higher tuition, more student debt and ending the dream of a college education for some young people. = = **$752 MILLION SURPLUS** = = These cuts could have been avoided. As public schools and job creation programs were cut, this budget leaves a $700 million surplus in the state's bank account. The taxpayers sent their money to Harrisburg to pay for these services and you're being short changed. = = **MARCELLUS SHALE** = = Governor Corbett and the Republicans have blatantly ignored the 70 percent of the public that supports a tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas companies. In fact, he blocked efforts this week to pass a reasonable and fair tax that would protect our environment and allow the industry to grow. =
 * = **East Allegheny School District** is cut by $1 million or 15 percent, representing $561 less per student. =
 * = **Elizabeth Forward School District** is cut by $849,000, or 8.6 percent, representing $320 less per student. =
 * = **McKeesport Area School District** is cut by $3 million, or 11 percent, representing $703 less per student. =
 * = **South Allegheny School District** is cut by $986,000, or 9.6 percent, representing $587 less per student. =
 * = **Steel Valley School District** is cut by $1.4 million, or 15 percent, representing $710 less per student. =
 * = **West Mifflin School District** is cut by $811,000, or 11 percent, representing $265 less per student. =
 * = **Woodland Hills School District** is cut by $3.67 million, or 20 percent, representing $723 less per student. =

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