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HARRISBURG (June 22, 2018) – Dolores McCracken, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, today issued the following statement after the state Senate passed a state budget plan that makes investments in public education a top priority. The bill now goes to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature.

“Investing in our public schools is a top priority for the people of Pennsylvania, and this budget reflects that. It ensures that Pennsylvania’s students have the resources they need to get the best possible education and that our public schools remain a strong foundation of our commonwealth.

“Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have crafted a budget plan that makes key investments in basic education, special education, career and technical education, and school safety programs.

“The funding increase in career and technical education is a real victory for CTE programs that give students the training they need to transition right into well-paying, high-skill jobs. And the funding for school safety programs shows that elected officials are listening to the educators, parents, and students who want their schools to be safe places to learn – and free from violence.

“It takes state funding to make sure that our public schools have the resources they need to give Pennsylvania’s students the very best education. This budget includes that essential funding, and I commend Gov. Wolf and the General Assembly for making public education a top priority.”

McCracken is a paraprofessional in the Council Rock School District. An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents approximately 181,000 future, active and retired teachers and school employees, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.