This week House Appropriations Committee Chairman William Adolph (R-165) began the budget process by introducing the Budget Bill, House Bill 2328. HB 2328 provides for a General Fund Budget identical to the current fiscal year's budget, and therefore contains none of the increases proposed by Governor Corbett in his budget address in February and accounts for none of the mandatory 2014-2015 cost increases related to pensions, debt service and other legal requirements. In other words, it simply provides a vehicle to begin to move forward an appropriations bill in the House, with the understanding that no agreement has been reached on any of the details of the budget for the next fiscal year.

The House Appropriations Committee on June 11 reported the bill as committed on a party-line vote, with Republicans voting in the affirmative and Democrats voting in the negative. Chairman Adolph and others have explained that negotiations with party leaders and the Administration are ongoing and this bill will be amended to represent those negotiations. Minority Chairman Markosek noted during the meeting that there are only nineteen calendar days and twelve scheduled session days left before June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

• During the week of June 9, the House of Representatives acted on the following legislation:
  
  House Bill 1460, sponsored by Rep. Mark Gillen (R-128), would amend Title 51 (Military Affairs) to require educational institutions to grant a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard or other reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, or a member's spouse, an "M" or "MILITARY" on their grade transcript for all classes they are unable to complete due to a military leave of absence. It would also require the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to create a searchable database of individuals awarded the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, and Silver Star. 
  
  The House approved the bill on concurrence with Senate amendments on June 9 by a vote of 194-1. The bill has been presented to the Governor for final approval.
  
  House Bill 2124, sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove (R-196), would amend the Public School Code to provide for changes to the Planning and Construction Workbook (PlanCon) school construction reimbursement process.
  
  HB 2124 passed the House on June 9 by a vote of 109-86. Prior to the passage by the House, the bill was reported as committed from the House Appropriations Committee. Click here to read the Committee's fiscal note, which includes a summary of the bill's proposed changes.
  
  Senate Bill 1205, sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-48), would amend the Public School Code to simplify the process a college must follow in order to become a university. A college that is authorized to confer bachelor's degrees may be designated a university if the president of the institution submits a letter to the Department of Education. The bill provides for the content and submission of the letter, and the review process for the Department. It would also allow for an accredited trade school conferring a minimum of association degrees in specialized technology to be designated as a college.
  
  SB 1205 passed the House on June 9 by a vote of 195-0. Prior to the passage by the House, the bill was reported as committed from the House Appropriations Committee. Click here to read the Committee's fiscal note. 
  
  The bill was then sent back to the Senate for a vote on concurrence to House amendments. On June 11, the Senate approved the bill on concurrence by a vote of 49-0-1 NV. The bill has been presented to the Governor for final approval.
  
  Senate Bill 1115, sponsored by Sen. Robert Robbins (R-50), would amend the Title 51 (Military Affairs) by making changes to the Pennsylvania National Guard's Educational Assistance Program (EAP). On June 9 the House unanimously adopted on the floor an amendment, sponsored by Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-102). On June 10, the House passed the bill by a vote of 199-0. 
  
  As amended, SB 1115 would require an approved institution of higher learning to first consider any Federal tuition assistance received by an eligible member before awarding an EAP grant. An EAP grant would then be awarded to the eligible member if the member requires additional financial aid to cover the remaining costs of attendance. "Costs of attendance" is defined as any allowable educational expenses, as determined by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, that are consistent with the Higher Education Scholarship Law. The grants must be paid or refunded to the eligible member for approved costs of attendance. The total of all federal and state military education benefits, as administered by the Pennsylvania National Guard, shall not exceed 100 percent of the costs of attendance.
  
  Prior to the passage by the House, the bill was reported as committed from the House Appropriations Committee. Click here to read the fiscal note. SB 1115 has been sent back to the Senate for a vote on concurrence to the House amendment.
  
  House Bill 198, sponsored by Rep. Ed Neilson (D-169), would amend the Public School Code to establish the Dyslexia and Early Literacy Intervention Pilot Program. The Program would provide evidence-based early screening and multitier support systems, using evidence-based intervention services for students with potential risk factors for early reading deficiencies and dyslexia. HB 198 provides for a three year pilot program in at least three school districts that meet certain criteria outlined in the bill. 
  
  The House approved the bill on concurrence with Senate amendments on June 11 by a vote of 197-0. The bill will now be presented to the Governor for final approval.  

• On June 11, the House Appropriations Committee unanimously reported as committed a series of budget-related bills sponsored by Rep. William Adolph (R-165). Each bill provides for an appropriation for FY 2014-15 identical to what was enacted in the current FY 2013-14 budget.
  
  House Bill 2284 would appropriate $41,689,000 from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund to the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for the expenses incurred by the Board in FY 2014-15 and any bills remaining unpaid at the end of FY 2013-14. Click here to read the fiscal note.
  
  House Bill 2335 would appropriate $136,293,000 to the University of Pittsburgh. Click here to read the fiscal note.
  
  House Bill 2336 would appropriate $139,917,000 to Temple University. Click here to read the fiscal note.
  
  House Bill 2337 would appropriate $13,163,000 to Lincoln University. Click here to read the fiscal note.
  
  House Bill 2338 would appropriate $28,261,000 to the University of Pennsylvania. Click here to read the fiscal note. 

• During the week of June 9, the Senate acted on the following legislation:
  
  House Bill 1424, sponsored by Rep. Paul Clymer (R-145), would amend the Public School Code to provide for instruction on the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations. 
  
  On June 10, the Senate adopted on the floor an amendment sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-48) that removes the mandate by changing "shall" back to the bill's original language of "may," so that each school entity may offer instruction in the Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations. As amended, HB 1424 requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to conduct a study regarding the manner in which instruction in the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations is offered. Following the 2016-2017 school year, if the study demonstrates that less than 90 percent of the school entities are offering the instruction without the mandate to do so, then the SBE shall adopt a regulation requiring school districts to offer such instruction. HB 1424 also would require the Department of Education (PDE) to establish curriculum guidelines, and distribute information about appropriate curriculum materials to each school entity. Each school entity providing the instruction would be required to provide in-service training programs that shall be made available through PDE.
  
  The Senate passed HB 1424 on June 11 by a vote of 49-0-1 NV. The bill has been sent back to the House for a vote on concurrence to the Senate amendments.
  
  House Bill 1559, sponsored by Rep. Frank Farina (D-115), would amend the Public School Code to provide for youth suicide awareness and prevention education. The Senate approved the bill on concurrence with House amendments, as amended by the Senate on June 11 by a vote of 49-0-1 NV.
  
  The Senate amendment, sponsored by Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-9), was unanimously adopted by the Senate Rules Committee on June 10. HB 1559 now would require each entity to adopt youth suicide awareness and prevention policies and include four hours of training every five years for professional educators in school buildings serving students grades six through twelve. The Department of Education must develop a model policy, guidelines, and educational materials. The bill also authorizes but does not require schools to develop an age-appropriate child exploitation awareness education program and incorporate the program into the existing curriculum for students K-8. Schools may also include child exploitation awareness training in their professional development plan.
  
  HB 1559 has been sent back to the House for a vote on concurrence. 

• On June 9, the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously reported as committed Senate Bill 1390, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-34). SB 1390 is a budget-related bill that would appropriate $41,689,000 from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund to the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for the expenses incurred by the Board in FY 2014-15 and any bills remaining unpaid at the end of FY 2013-14. Click here to read the fiscal note. SB 1390 is identical to HB 2284. 

Applications are available now for the 2014-2015 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). The Education Policy Fellowship Program is sponsored in Pennsylvania by The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC).

With nearly 400 graduates in its first fifteen years, this Program is a premier professional development opportunity for educators, state and local policymakers, advocates, and community leaders.

State Board of Accountancy (SBA) credits are available to certified public accountants.

Past participants include state policymakers, district superintendents and principals, school business officers, school board members, education deans/chairs, statewide association leaders, parent leaders, education advocates, and other education and community leaders. Fellows are typically sponsored by their employer or another organization.

To read about the Education Policy Fellowship Program, click here.

Since space is limited to approximately 30 positions, it is advisable to submit an application as soon as possible. The application may be copied from the EPLC website, but must be submitted by mail or scanned and e-mailed, with the necessary signatures of applicant and sponsor.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the Fellowship Program and its requirements, please contact Program coordinators Mattie Robinson at 717-260-9900 or robinson@eplc.org, or Ron Cowell at 412-298-4796 or cowell@eplc.org.  

 

• Register Now! EPLC will again be hosting an Education Issues Workshop for Legislative Candidates, Campaign Staff, and Interested Voters. This nonpartisan, one-day program will take place on Thursday, July 31 in Harrisburg. Space is limited. Click here to learn more about workshop and to register. 

• The June episode of Focus on Education was broadcast on Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) on June 8 and is now available to watch online. The episode discussed the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education after 60 years, with guests Homer C. Floyd, former executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Rhonda Brownstein, Esq., executive director of the Education Law Center; and Erica Frankenberg, Ed.D., assistant professor in the Department of Education Policy Studies at Penn State University.
  
  All past monthly shows are archived and available "on demand" on the EPLC Focus on Education webpage, here.
  
  Be a sponsor! The monthly show is an opportunity to get the name of your organization or cause in front of a statewide audience that has an interest in education issues. Introductory rates for sponsors are available now for a limited time. For more details, and to discuss your sponsorship for one or more monthly shows, please email Ron Cowell at cowell@eplc.org.