Pennsylvania House Bill HR170

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/3/25
• Refer: 4/3/25

Caption

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive study of the financial impacts of pooling all school district property tax revenue at the intermediate unit level and distributing that money to school districts based on their average daily membership.

Impact

The main objective of HR170 is to explore an alternative funding model that involves pooling property tax revenue from various school districts and redistributing that money based on the average daily membership of each district. This method intends to analyze the disparities in funding across different regions and could offer a more equitable approach to educational funding. By leveraging collective resources, the proposal aims to address the inequities currently present in the system and align funding levels with the actual needs of the students across school districts, especially those that are underfunded.

Summary

House Resolution 170 is aimed at directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive study of the financial impacts associated with pooling all school district property tax revenue at the intermediate unit level. The resolution acknowledges the significant inadequacies and inequities in current public school funding, largely due to the heavy reliance on local property taxes. This proposal emerges in the context of a recent ruling by the Commonwealth Court which confirmed the unconstitutionality of existing public education funding mechanisms and the necessity for the General Assembly to ensure a thorough and efficient public education system in Pennsylvania.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HR170 appears to be focused on reforming the existing educational finance structure, with many stakeholders recognizing the urgent need for change. Proponents believe that redistributing property tax revenue would lead to a fairer allocation of funds, helping districts that currently struggle with inadequate resources. However, there may be concerns from certain factions regarding potential loss of local control over school funding decisions, which could create tension in discussions about the proposal.

Contention

If enacted, HR170 could pave the way for significant changes in how educational funding is approached within Pennsylvania. While it aims to promote equity in funding, the logistics of implementing such a pooling system could be complex. There may be diverse opinions on how much control local districts should maintain over their funding sources and whether pooling truly addresses systemic inequities or complicates them further. The successful execution of the study will be crucial in determining the proposal's viability and acceptance by various stakeholders.