June 30, 2023
Following the House Rules Committee unequivocal rejection of the voucher scheme, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement:
PHILADELPHIA--"This afternoon, the Pennsylvania House Rules Committee led with courage and conviction and unequivocally rejected a detrimental voucher scheme that has no place in our great commonwealth. I thank each Democratic member of the committee who took a strong stand in defense of one of the bedrocks of our society: public education.
"Speaker Joanna McClinton, Majority Leader Matt Bradford, and Majority Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris deserve significant credit for their unwavering leadership as the threat of a devastating voucher scheme looms large. We also thank Philadelphia Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas. Similarly, the entire Democratic House leadership team should be applauded for their work: Majority Whip Dan Miller, Majority Caucus Chair Mike Schlossberg, Majority Caucus Secretary Tina Davis, Majority Caucus Administrator Leanne Krueger, and Majority Policy Chair Ryan Bizzarro.
"I want to thank every additional member of the Rules Committee: Representatives Mary Jo Daley, Elizabeth Fiedler, Dan Frankel, Patrick Harkins, Stephen Kinsey, Bridget Kosierowski, Jeanne McNeill, Darisha Parker, Ben Sanchez, and Melissa Shusterman for their votes in opposition to vouchers and the stand they took for public education.
"The House Democrats' leadership is in stark contrast with the Senate Republicans' path of destruction.
"The time is now for both chambers and Governor Shapiro to fully dedicate themselves to their legal, constitutional, and moral duty to fund public education once and for all. The time is now, and the moment is urgent."
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