Senator Jay Costa: Thank you. Thank you very much, Senator Hughes, and thank all of you for being here, but, more importantly, the viewers out there. We thank you for being engaged in this conversation, because it is probably the most significant conversation in terms of what we’re going to do here, on the policy issues here in Harrisburg, that we’ve faced in many, many years.

As Senator Hughes indicated, we heard very loudly and very clearly last year that the people of Pennsylvania want us to make investments in education. They want us to make an investment in our resources, our kids, so that they are provided with the opportunity, to have the opportunity and the schools that they need to be successful and to build a solid foundation. I’m very honored to be with all my colleagues, our leadership colleagues.

This is a press conference, ladies and gentlemen. It doesn’t happen like this that often, where you see leadership from across Pennsylvania, and a Democratic Caucus trying to make certain that we include—At the end of the day, imperative that we include Marcellus Shale Extraction Tax to help fund education. The Governor’s proposal is a reasonable, responsible proposal that drives resources, that drives nearly a billion dollars into our educational system, from K, to 12, to Higher Ed. That’s what we need to do.

And, folks, let me tell you, over the course of the Rendell years, when we made investments in education… When we made investments in education, our kids did well, our schools did well, and we were humming with respect to being the leader among states. But there are few states in the country that, every year, could say, “Every year, our scores went up at every grade level and every subject matter.”

And then, we have a change of administration, and we have a gentleman that comes into the Governor’s office and begins to slash a billion dollars a year out of education. What did we see happen? Our scores declined, and the quality of our schools diminished in many respects, and we lost employees at the school district level who were able to work, day in and day out, with our kids. We have to reverse that. That’s what this legislation does, and that’s what this governor wants to be able to do. Invest a billion dollars a year going forward in education, from pre-K, K-12, and also a higher learning, or Higher Education, as well. To have a comprehensive education approach that puts Pennsylvania back on track.

At the end of the day, all we’re asking for is that the Marcellus Shale industry be a part of the solution to fix our education crisis. All we’re asking for is the Marcellus community to be part of the solution to help us move forward. It’s a simple request, one that I think is appropriate, and I’m honored and pleased to be here with my colleagues as we continue to talk about this, and debate this issue. And, at the end of the day, as Senator Hughes said, we’re not going home, ladies and gentlemen, until we get it done. So we’re going to be here until we get it done. Thank you all, very much.