Senator Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) unveiled a legislative proposal at a press conference today that creates a new Education Empowerment Law. Senator Piccola said the proposal is “intended to strengthen the options, incentives, and penalties applicable to districts and schools that fail to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.” He indicated that districts that fail to make AYP for eight years or more will “fall under the control of a three-member School Reform Commission” which will report to the Secretary of the Department of Education. Senator Piccola, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, said the committee will hold a series of hearings around the state on the legislation. “It’s time we realize that when our children fail, it’s often because the system failed. We must act to provide the children of Pennsylvania’s lowest performing school districts with the education they so very much need and deserve,” he stated.

Members of the House Republican Caucus held a press conference today to comment on the table games legislation. Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said the majority of the caucus voted against the bill because it “fell short on a variety of fronts.” He indicated that republican members want to transfer “all of the law enforcement responsibilities” now under the control of the Gaming Board to either the Attorney General’s Office or the Pennsylvania State Police. Rep. Turzai said the “timing is inappropriate” because many newspapers have reported that there is “grand jury open into the issuing of licensing” when slot licenses were awarded.  He noted that members also expressed concern about the gaming revenue; “”All of the revenue from gambling in the first bill did not go to property tax relief and none of the money in the new gaming bill will go to property tax relief,” he stated. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association was joined by Rep. Glen Grell (R-Cumberland) and Senator Gene Yaw (R-Bradford)  for a press conference today to propose a long-term solution to the “looming crisis in the Pennsylvania School Employees’ Retirement System.” Thomas Gentzel, PSBA Executive Director, said the proposal “combines the best features of a defined benefit and defined contribution pension systems.” “Our association has studied this issue and has developed a plan that reduces the potentially devastating tax burden to local taxpayers while also creating a fair system for both employers and employees,” he stated. Rep. Grell, prime sponsor of the proposal in the House, said he hopes the plan with “jump start discussions to address the long-term need to reform PSERS.” He stressed that the proposal would not affect any current retiree or any current school district employee. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.