News

Your Action Needed on House Bill 704

June 11, 2009

YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED TO ENSURE PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 704 IN THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.  Read below for details. You can also get updates on the campaign at www.reformspecialedfunding.org 

Due to your efforts, we continue to get closer to reforming the special education funding and accountability system in Pennsylvania. 

House Bill 704 is making good progress and moving toward a vote in the Education Committee (see details below).  Senator Dinniman and 12 co-sponsors recently introduced Senate Bill 940, which is almost identical to House Bill 704.

FIRST ACTION NEEDED

(Please read this now and take action this week!)

• The House Education Committee is expected to vote on House Bill 704 in the next week or two.  The bill has a total of 64 co-sponsors, including 12 members of the House Education Committee. 
• We need a few more Education Committee members to co-sponsor the bill, to ensure passage.
• Please contact the Committee members listed below – especially the ones from your area – and ask them to co-sponsor House Bill 704 and vote for the bill.
• Contact the members by phone (leave a detailed message), by e-mail, by letter, or schedule a meeting in their Harrisburg or district office.
• Click on the names below to immediately see their web pages and contact information.

SECOND ACTION NEEDED

(Please read this now and take action this week!)

• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper (especially the papers in the communities represented by the Committee members listed below).
• Explain why House Bill 704 should be adopted and why this is an important issue.

Talking Points

• Please co-sponsor House Bill 704 and vote for the bill in the Education Committee.
• I am asking you to support reform of the state funding and accountability system for special education.
• The current funding system is broken, is unfair, and does not provide enough resources for special education in the right places.  It sets the number of students eligible for state funding for special education at 16% regardless of whether the district has fewer or more students receiving special education.  It also does not focus the funding on strategies that have a track record for improving student performance.
• The school districts you represent need additional resources and support from the state.
• I am your constituent and I have personal experience with how this broken system hurts children with disabilities and all students.

Thank you for taking quick action on this important issue.  We are truly making great progress. Call with any questions or thoughts. Don’t forget our website with all of the updates about this campaign – www.reformspecialedfunding.org.