After nearly four months of testimony, Commonwealth Court heard closing arguments on Thursday, March 10, addressing the central question of this historic trial: Does Pennsylvania’s current system of funding schools violate the state’s constitution and deprive students in low-wealth communities of the quality public education they need and deserve?
Presenting closing arguments for the school districts, parents, and organizations who filed this lawsuit, attorney Katrina Robson emphasized the principal point: “Let me say it again, because it’s the whole case. Low-wealth districts do not have the resources that they need to prepare all children for college, career and civic success.”
What's the issue?
In 2014, in response to the failure of the legislature to provide "adequate and equitable funding" the Public Interest Law Center and Education Law Center-PA filed a lawsuit against state officials on behalf of parents, school districts, and organizations, claiming that the funding system (decided by the legislature) in Pennsylvania is not only wrong, it violates the state Constitution.
For more information on the problems with school funding and the trial, visit https://edvoterspa.org/school-funding-lawsuit/
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THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Abolish the Electoral College or Keep It?
The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the direct-popular-vote method for electing the President and Vice-President is essential to representative government. The League of Women Voters believes, therefore, that the Electoral College should be abolished.
None of the Founders' original intentions remain relevant today. The Electoral College is an imperfect system that is damaging to our democracy.
The Electoral College:
1. By constitutional amendment. A constitutional amendment has been introduced many times. January 3, 2019 House Joint Resolution 7 "proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to abolish the electoral college and to provide for the direct election of the President and Vice-President of the United States" was introduced by several representatives.
2. A constitutional amendment can take years to pass. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) is an acceptable interim solution. States agree to give all their electoral votes to whomever wins the national popular vote. To date 15 states and DC have signed the compact for a total of 196 votes. In order to go into effect, the compact must have a minimum of 270 votes. For more information, www.nationalpopularvote.com.
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IS IT TIME TO SHIFT TO OPEN PRIMARIES IN PENNSYLVANIA?
Pennsylvania is one of nine states that does not allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections. This means that on Primary Day 2019, one quarter of a million Pennsylvania voters were unable to cast a vote. Independent voters are the fastest growing political demographic in PA, and in the country, and it’s vital that all voices are heard.
In Pennsylvania 13% of all registered voters are Independents in comparison to 38% Republicans and 48% Democrats which means that 13% of registered voters are not allowed to vote for candidates in the Primary although they may vote on statewide and local ballet questions.
Issues:
. If Independent voters feel that they can’t vote in the Primary they may miss having a voice on the ballet questions.
. Many voters new to Pennsylvania who register as Independents may not realize we have closed primaries.
. National voter registration shows 40% of registered voters are Indepents while in Pennsylvania the number is 13%, suggesting that closed primaries discourage voters from registering in a way that aligns with their true beliefs and values.