(4/2022)  New Property Tax Elimination Bill Introduced

New legislation to eliminate school property taxes and establish a more modern and reliable way to fund education in the Commonwealth has been introduced to the state house. The complexity of the current school funding model is so intertwined and convoluted that previous efforts to change it have been unsuccessful, but the current rate of increase in school property taxes is unsustainable and is pricing seniors out of their homes. Ryan, a certified public accountant, said he has developed a fair and balanced formula for the total elimination of property taxes in the Commonwealth.

PA Supreme Court Signs Off on New State House, Senate Districts

On March 16, 2022, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court gave its final approval to state legislative redistricting maps. The boundaries of state House and Senate districts, as well as U.S. congressional districts, are redrawn every 10 years in conjunction with the U.S. Census to address shifts in population and meet the "one person, one vote" principle. Barring further legal challenges, these are the maps that will be in place when voters head to the polls on Tuesday, May 17. To view statewide maps for the House and Senate, visit here. To view the new map for the 101st Legislative District, visit RepMoul.com/newdistrictmap.

New Regulations for Charter, Cyber Charter Schools

The House Education Committee voted to send a letter to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) disapproving of the final form regulations written by PDE related to charter and cyber charter schools. PDE delivered the charter school final form regulations to the House and Senate Education committees and IRRC on Feb. 10. Committee members believe the regulations would harm the 170,000 Pennsylvania students enrolled in charter schools and the tens of thousands of students who are on a waitlist to enroll. The Senate Education Committee also expressed its disapproval of the regulations this week.

Committee Seeks Solutions to Teacher Shortage

The House Education Committee held a hearing this week to discuss the growing shortage of teachers in the Commonwealth’s classrooms. In her testimony to the committee, Dr. Tanya Garcia, a deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), noted the number of undergraduate education majors in Pennsylvania has declined by 66% since 2010. That decline, combined with the increasing rate at which teachers are leaving the profession, is making it increasingly difficult to staff classrooms, especially in rural and urban districts, as well as specific programming such as special education and STEM. Also testifying were university deans, school district officials, teachers and principals. Among the solutions discussed were encouraging more high school students to pursue an education major, particularly in post-secondary education; removing barriers to becoming a teacher; reexamining certification requirements; and offering student loan assistance and other incentives to stay in the Commonwealth to teach

PDE Must Publish School Assessments Now

Did you know the Pennsylvania Department of Education has not yet released Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) examination results from tests taken last spring? The data from those tests is vital as we attempt to understand and address the learning loss that occurred among students despite the best efforts of their teachers and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Education acknowledged the delay in results in written testimony to the House Education Committee in November and pledged to provide the results in "the coming weeks." Now, three months later, there is still no compilation of state exam results.

Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and House Education Committee Chairman Curt Sonney (R-Erie) sent a letter to Secretary of Education Noe Ortega last week demanding the PSSA results be released immediately. In response, PDE announced it will release the results publicly on March 1. Ortega said results were delayed because student participation was so low that state officials questioned whether the data would be "valid, reliable and representative." Only about 71% of students took the PSSAs due to student COVID-related absences. The normal participation rate is more than 97%.

Help for Struggling Farm Workers

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has created a helpline for farm workers who are experiencing anxiety or depression. The number is 833-897-2474. High rates of suicide among those working in farming, fishing and forestry have been documented for many years. Learn more about the helpline here. Remember, too, that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 800-273-TALK (8255).

Now is the Time to Smash Those Spotted Lanternfly Eggs!

Now is the Time to Smash Those Spotted Lanternfly Eggs! As chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and a life-long resident of farm-rich Adams County, I am joining the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in encouraging all Pennsylvanians to do their part to combat the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly, which threatens Pennsylvania’s grape, orchard and logging industries. State agriculture officials are asking the public to be on the lookout and destroy egg masses before the weather warms up and the eggs have a chance to hatch. Officials suggest power-washing equipment and vehicles, inspecting the undercarriages of vehicles and inspecting other hard surfaces such as patio furniture, grills or play equipment.

Attorney General Issues Warning About AirTag Misuse

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has issued a consumer alert concerning the malicious misuse of Apple AirTags to track owner locations and belongings without their knowledge or consent. Individuals have reported finding unknown AirTags attached to their cars, in their purses or coat pockets, and other personal property. Others have reported receiving alerts on their phones that their location information is being shared, even if they have not found an AirTag or other connected accessory on their person.