Da Techguy's (no longer backup) Blog

By Christopher Harper 

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wanted to cut a deal with the Republicans, but his fellow Democrats wouldn’t let him do it. 

The issue was important: school vouchers for kids in failing public schools throughout the state.  

Surprisingly, Shapiro supported a $100 million program to pay tuition at private and religious schools throughout the state.  

The Republicans, who control the State Senate, wanted the deal. The Democrats, who control the House of Representatives, blocked it, bowing to complaints from teachers’ unions and other leftists.  

Shapiro had to back down because the Democrats had kept the state without a budget for five days over the issue. “One party can’t get anything done on their own. Democrats and Republicans need to work together if we are to accomplish anything here in our state capital,” said Shapiro, who added he was disappointed but did not want to plunge the state into a “painful, protracted budget impasse.” 

Some Republicans expressed shock at the turn of events. 

“If this was the plan in the end, (Shapiro) certainly will have ruined his credibility with us, which to this point had been pretty strong,” said Sen. Chris Gebhard, R-Lebanon. 

Senate Republicans have not necessarily lost all their leverage. Other items that Democrats had wanted in the budget bill — and that Senate Republicans agreed to in exchange for the private schools program — might need separate legislation to spend that money. 

And Republicans haven’t scheduled the Senate to return to session until September 18, allowing them to hold up the budget bill until then without the constitutionally required signature of the presiding officer. 

Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, argued that boosting money for public schools — not private schools — must be a priority for lawmakers to try to wipe out disparities. 

But public schools, particularly in large cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have been a mess for years. After the COVID shutdown, tests demonstrate that the students have fallen way behind in math and reading at all levels.  

The budget impasse also means higher education support remains in limbo, particularly for Penn State, Temple University, and the University of Pittsburgh. All the schools are reeling from declines in admissions and scholarships.  

I must credit the governor for trying to reach across the aisle, but here it’s the Democrats, not the Republicans, who favor unions over student success.