Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB1239

Introduced

6/7/24

Refer

6/7/24

Caption

In school finances, further providing for school districts lying in more than one county or in more than one municipality and limitation on total tax revenues.

Impact

The introduction of SB1239 is likely to reshape the existing statutes related to school funding, especially for districts that cross county lines or operate in multiple municipalities. By imposing limits on total tax revenues, the bill proposes to manage financial disparities more effectively and align funding practices with the realities of multimodal educational governance. While proponents advocate that this will create fairer access to resources for students, critics might argue that it could restrict the flexibility districts currently have in raising funds tailored to their specific needs.

Summary

SB1239 addresses the financial structure of school districts that span multiple counties or municipalities, focusing on limitations regarding total tax revenues that these districts can generate. The bill aims to create a more standardized financial framework that ensures equitable funding across jurisdictions, potentially easing discrepancies that arise when districts operate in diverse local tax environments. It seeks to clarify and reformulate existing laws governing school financing, thereby reinforcing equitable education funding principles.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment around SB1239 appears cautiously optimistic among supporters who believe that reforming school finance is a step in the right direction. Advocates, including certain education organizations, welcome the measure as a way to level the playing field for schools in less affluent areas. However, opponents express concerns that revenue limitations may hinder schools from meeting unique needs, particularly in financially challenged areas, leading to a polarized discussion around the efficacy and potential repercussions of this legislative change.

Contention

A notable point of contention involves the balance between equity and local autonomy in school funding. Stakeholders argue whether limiting tax revenues could undermine the ability of districts to tailor their financial strategies to the needs of their specific communities. Therefore, discussions around SB1239 often reflect broader debates on education finance policy, local control versus state mandates, and the implications of standardized funding limits on educational outcomes across varying economic landscapes.

Latest PA SB1239 Activity

View All Events: PA 2023-2024 Regular Session SB1239

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB791

In school finances, further providing for school districts lying in more than one county or in more than one municipality and limitation on total tax revenues.

PA HB111

In school finances, further providing for fiscal year and for tax levy and limitations.

PA HB25

In school finances, further providing for fiscal year and for tax levy and limitations.

PA HB567

Class 2 municipalities, tax increment districts further provided for

PA S3915

Requires municipalities to share certain payments in lieu of property taxes with school districts; informs counties, school districts, and DCA of certain information related to property tax exemptions and abatements.

PA HB642

Relating to a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that a school district may impose on certain residence homesteads following a substantial school tax increase.

PA A971

PA A1107

PA SB700

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in intermediate units, further providing for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, further providing for qualifications; in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates, for career and technical instruction and for baccalaureate certification basic skills assessment; in Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program, further providing for definitions, for program establishment and duties of agency, for eligibility and for report; in school safety and security, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program and for school safety and security training and providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2024-2025 school year; in school security, further providing for duties of commission, providing for school security personnel and establishing School Security Personnel Fund; in school security, further providing for duties of commission and providing for school security personnel and for School Security Personnel Fund; in school health services, further providing for vision screening and examinations; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for establishment and payment of tuition; in administrative partnerships between school entities, further providing for legislative intent and for definitions, providing for instructional programming partnerships authorized, for school district feasibility study and for construction and further providing for establishment, for application, for grant awards, for technical assistance, for reports by school entities and for reports by department; in talent recruitment, further providing for Talent Recruitment Account; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification and providing for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; in disability inclusive curriculum, further providing for department responsibilities; in Schools-to-Work-Program, repealing provisions relating to expiration; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions, for qualification and application by organizations, for tax credits and for limitations, repealing provisions relating to opportunity scholarships and providing for economically disadvantaged school scholarships; in course materials at institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to College Textbook Policies Advisory Committee; in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for memorandum of understanding; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to Public Higher Education Funding Commission; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2024-2025; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums and for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, further providing for State reimbursement for health services, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Commonwealth reimbursements for charter schools and cyber charter schools, repealing provisions relating to administrative and instructional consolidation incentives and further providing for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in State Board of Education, further providing for powers and duties of the board; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; in School Environmental Repairs Program, further providing for School Environmental Repairs Program Restricted Account and for School Environmental Repairs Program; and making editorial changes.

PA HB117