ACTION ALERT! Pennsylvania Legislature Considering Plan to Eliminate Special Education Exception to Act 1 of 2006, the Taxpayer

Friends –

ACTION ALERT!  Pennsylvania Legislature Considering Plan to Eliminate Special Education Exception to Act 1 of 2006, the Taxpayer Relief Act

The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a plan to eliminate the special education exception to Act 1 of 2006, the Taxpayer Relief Act.  This exception allows school districts to raise taxes, but only with the Department of Education’s approval, to cover some of the cost of special education when those costs rise above a certain rate.

The Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania recognizes that many school districts fall short on delivering the promise of a Free Appropriate Public Education to students, but eliminating the Act I special education exception will make things even worse.  While special education continues to be underfunded by the federal and state governments, school districts will have no means to raise revenue to pay for increased special education costs if this exception is eliminated.  Students with disabilities, and those without, will suffer the loss of vital educational services and programs.

Please contact your Senator and Representative today and ask them to protect the special education exception of Act I.  Click here to find your legislators.

For questions about this alert, please contact Sallie Lynagh, DRN Children’s Team Leader, at slynagh@drnpa.org.

Thank you,

Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
Offices in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia
1-800-692-7443
www.drnpa.org