PHILADELPHIA (July 12, 2026) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) President Arthur G. Steinberg:
“We’re grateful for the steadfast leadership of Governor Shapiro, House Speaker McClinton, and Senate Democrats who are responsible for what is good and positive in this budget. More public school and special education funding, no increase in private school tax credits, expanded student teacher stipends, and a COLA for pre-Act 9 public employee retirees will strengthen long-underfunded school districts and the communities they serve.
“We’re glad to see the School District of Philadelphia receive an appropriate share of base funding and adequacy funding. We are, as ever, impatient for a faster schedule to close the adequacy gap between wealthy and non-wealthy districts once and for all.
“Nothing like an unfavorable election environment to motivate Republicans to do their jobs. We are, of course, relieved that school districts will have fiscal certainty far earlier than last year, when the state budget was finally approved in November. Badly needed funding increases for long-underserved school systems were washed out by millions of dollars in borrowing interest paid by districts to keep the lights on last fall.
“We are disappointed that Republicans blocked a school cell phone ban, minimum wage increase, support for aging mass transit systems, and new taxes and regulations on gambling, a destructive industry that has infected communities across the Commonwealth. There is, of course, a remedy for such irresponsible governance: we’ll see these lawmakers at the ballot box.”
