Senator Hughes to Talk Education at Roxborough School

Frustrated by Governor Corbett's recently proposed budget, state Senator Vincent Hughes, whose district includes Whitemarsh Township, will talk public education at a Roxborough school this week.

Cook-Wissahickon Parent Rebecca Poyourow told Patch that Hughes will tour the school on Feb. 24 and hold a community meeting on state education. In January, parents wrote Hughes (D-7), state Rep. Pam DeLissio (D-194), and Republican Gov. Tom Corbett in a plea to preserve funds to the school. 

DeLissio received the letter in person and responded at her Jan. 10 town hall. Hughes scheduled the Friday meeting to weigh in, as well.

"As Sen. Hughes is the Democratic Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, this is a great opportunity to voice your opinions and lobby Sen. Hughes to fight for better funding for public education during the budget debate over the next few months," Poyourow wrote in an email to parents.

The governor's budget does increase state dollars to schools by 3.4 percent. In the nearly $10 billion allotment for public school, $5.4 billion is slotted by basic education and another $1 billion for special education.

"This budget proposes no reduction to school district funding and no gimmicks, just increased latitude to manage their own budgets," Corbett said in his budget.

However, critics—like Hughes and DeLissio—point to the $316 million increase in coverage of school pensions, which masks money going toward students.

In a Feb. 7 statement, Hughes spoke out against Corbett's budget. "These cuts will send struggling schools into a tailspin and put college out of reach for many. The governor’s assertion that basic education was not cut this year does not tell the entire story. Early childhood programs will be cut in this spending plan," he said.

Hughes' appearance is open to the public and is at 201 E. Salaignac Ave.