Costa calls for State Senate to Return to Session Next Week

Says timely action is crucial for chance at $400 million in Federal dollars

HARRISBURG – May 28, 2010 –  Stating that the teacher alternative certification legislation may be “pivotal” in the effort to secure $400 million in federal “Race to the Top” education dollars, Senator Jay Costa today released a letter requesting that the Senate return to session next Tuesday, June 1 to pass Senate Bill 441.

In a letter, Costa urged Lt. Gov. Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson) to call the Senate back to Harrisburg to concur in House amendments to the legislation and get the measure to the governor for enactment.

READ SEN. COSTA'S LETTER

The language contained in the current version of SB 441 would enhance the position of Pennsylvania’s application in a very close competition with several other states. 

“SB 441 needs to be passed quickly so that we are in good position to access hundreds of millions to aid education,” said Costa (D-Allegheny), Democratic Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  “This is so very important and we need to move quickly.”

Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow added, “This federal education funding would be a real boost, especially in the midst of extremely tough fiscal times. While we may disagree on the level of state education funding, there is general agreement on the value of Race to the Top funds.”

Senate Democrats have already contacted House Speaker Keith McCall, who expressed a willingness to reopen the House desk to sign the bill. Meanwhile, Gov. Ed Rendell said he was willing to wait until June 1 at 5 p.m. to submit the state’s Race to the Top application.

In the midst of a serious revenue shortfall, “these education dollars are crucial for our state,” Costa stated.

Senate Bill 441 was amended with unrelated language proposed by Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) on May 26, which necessitated the bill’s return to the House for consideration.  The House then amended the measure, removing the Piccola language, and passed the bill.  The bill must now be reconsidered by the Senate.

In his letter, Senator Costa reiterated that Senate Democrats didn’t disagree with Piccola’s effort, but the provisions were not “directly related to the alternative certification legislation, are not yet agreed to by the House, and must not be allowed to stymie” the agreement to get the Race to the Top language passed.
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