For Immediate Release
7.6.2023
Contact: Michael@pasrcc.com
Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro decided he would “Veto His Own Campaign Promise” (Newsweek) to Pennsylvanians. This broken promise represents a devastating blow to the children trapped in failing school districts across the Commonwealth.
Governor Shapiro trashed a deal made in good faith and caved to special interests and hypocrites in his own party. Many Democrat legislators openly rebuke expanded school choice and allowing children to pursue better education opportunities, despite attending (or sending their own children to) these private schools.
Several Senate Democrats who voted against Lifeline Scholarships attended private schools. They include:
– Senator Christine Tartaglione (SD-1) attended St. Martin of Tours and St. Basil Academy
– Senator Jimmy Dillon (SD-5) attended Our Lady of Calvary and Holy Ghost Prep
– Senator Nick Miller (SD-14) attended Allentown Central Catholic High School
– Senator Marty Flynn (SD-22) graduated from Scranton Preparatory School
Nearly 20% of Senate Democrats that voted against Lifeline Scholarships attended private school.
“Senate Democrats, House Democrats, and Governor Shapiro did the children of Pennsylvania a great disservice by stopping the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS),” PA SRCC Executive Director Cody Harbaugh said. “Subjecting children to failing schools with no other options is wrong. But worse yet, are the Senate and House Democrats who opposed this legislation, when they went to private school themselves or send their kids to private school. Their hypocrisy is a slap in the face to families in underperforming school districts. These politicians are self-serving, prioritizing their own family’s education over the education of others. These hypocrites represent the worst of Harrisburg.”