Shale tax devoted to education; retains local government share Harrisburg – July 21, 2015 – As Pennsylvania continues operating without a General Fund spending plan, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that his “Extraction for Education” proposal could help move talks forward and bring closure to key budget issues: enhanced education funding and a […]
Continue Reading →Harrisburg – Dec. 17, 2014 – To better manage the cost of higher education and cut tax liability this year, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today reminded students and parents that contributions to an approved college savings plan by Dec. 31 are tax deductable. “The high cost of a college education is a real challenge […]
Continue Reading →Harrisburg – Dec. 16, 2014 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) will soon introduce a plan that would earmark revenue from a new shale gas extraction tax for public schools while retaining current well impact fees that support local government operations.
Continue Reading →Harrisburg – February 4, 2014 – State Sen. Jim Brewster said today that Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed $29.4 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2014-15 falls short of the mark on education, jobs, human services funding and health care. “I am very disappointed that the governor did not include a sustainable and responsible funding plan for […]
Continue Reading →Harrisburg, Nov. 26, 2013 –State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced today that he will introduce a package of legislation that he said will address education accountability issues involving charter schools, cyber charter schools, teacher certification and the need for high-quality prekindergarten. “The state has to implement reforms, especially when it comes to charter schools, cyber […]
Continue Reading →Harrisburg, March 20, 2013 – State Sen. Jim Brewster sent a Right-to-Know request to the state Department of Education yesterday asking that it release a list of all school districts that have been designated for financial watch status or identified for monitoring under the early warning system. Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said he has been frustrated trying […]
Continue Reading →McKeesport, March 4, 2013 – State Sen. Jim Brewster said he was disappointed in the presentation made by Corbett administration officials as they described their education priorities at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing today.
Continue Reading →McKeesport, September 11, 2012 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today said families can save $50 by enrolling online in the college savings program operated by the state treasurer’s office this month. “Through the end of September, the PA 529 GSP plan is offering free enrollment for those who open a new account online this month […]
Continue Reading →MONROEVILLE, May 6, 2011 – State Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today announced he will introduce legislation that would place a 7 percent extraction tax on gas drilling to restore education funds, initiate public works projects that benefit local municipalities and protect Pennsylvania’s environment.
Continue Reading →Harrisburg – March 9, 2011 – Sen. Jim Brewster today provided the following reaction to Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget address:
“While spending cuts and better spending practices will need to occur at every government level, we must resist ‘passing the buck’ to local governments and school districts. The governor’s proposed budget cuts to education would force municipalities to raise taxes to make up for the loss of state funding to their school districts.
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