Sen. Lindsey Williams Releases Statement on Opening of Basic Education Funding Commission Hearings

Pittsburgh, Pa. − September 12, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement after the first hearing of the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) in Allentown:

“Today, the Basic Education Funding Commission held its initial hearing. Our first testifier, Dr. Matthew Kelley, Assistant Professor at Penn State University, laid out updated adequacy targets for each of our Pennsylvania school districts. These adequacy targets represent an important first step in determining what each district would need to spend to ensure that students who walk through their doors receive a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary education. The targets take into account many factors that students require to succeed in school and then make adjustments based on individual districts and student needs.

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Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Over $3.1 Million in Grant Funding for Local Traffic Signal Projects

Pittsburgh, Pa. − August 14, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced today that the City of Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel Borough, and the Town of McCandless will receive $3,193,655.06 in Green Light-Go grant funding. The Green Light-Go Program is designed to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals across Pennsylvania.

“Updating traffic signals at busy intersections that see pedestrian, bike, and vehicle traffic is incredibly important to keeping us all safe,” said Senator Williams. “I’m proud to advocate for projects like these that connect our communities and keep our neighborhoods accessible and walkable for everyone.”

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Senator Lindsey Williams Celebrates Expansion of Property Tax Relief for Seniors

Pittsburgh, Pa. − August 4, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) joined members of the Democratic Caucus in celebrating Governor Shapiro’s signature of HB 1100, the Expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program for the 2023 Tax Year.

“I was proud to support the expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for our seniors,” said Senator Williams.

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Sen. Lindsey Williams, Sen. Judy Schwank Celebrate Extension of Universal School Breakfast Program for 2023-24 School Year

Harrisburg, Pa. − August 4, 2023 — Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced today that all Pennsylvania students will once again have access to free school breakfast for the 2023-24 school year. This announcement follows yesterday’s budget signing by Governor Josh Shapiro, who has been a vocal advocate for extending the Universal School Breakfast program and expanding access to school lunches.

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Senator Lindsey Williams Issues Statement Calling for General Assembly to Fulfill Constitutional Obligation to Fully and Fairly Fund Public Education

Pittsburgh, Pa. − July 28, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement today calling on legislators to complete the FY2023-24 budget and continue the work of the Basic Education Funding Commission:

“Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer concluded her February opinion in William Penn School District et. al. v. Pennsylvania Department of Education et. al., ordering, “It is now the obligation of the Legislature, Executive Branch, and educators, to make the constitutional promise a reality in this Commonwealth.”

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