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VOTER SURVEY
Conducted by the Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign for
2008 Pennsylvania Primary Election Legislative Candidates
| Name: |
Michael O'Pake |
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Candidate for: |
Pennsylvania Senate |
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| Party: |
Democrat |
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District: |
11 (Berks County) |
1. Do you agree that the General Assembly should recognize that every child in Pennsylvania has a fundamental right to a quality public education consistent with the K-12 academic standards enacted by the State Board of Education?
__X___ YES _____ NO _____ DON'T KNOW
Comments (50 words or less)
2. Do you agree that the General Assembly has the duty to provide for a statewide K-12 funding system that assures adequate educational resources are available to support a quality public education for every child in every district consistent with the K-12 academic standards enacted by the State Board of Education?
__X___ YES _____ NO _____ DON'T KNOW
Comments (50 words or less)
3. Do you agree that the Pennsylvania Legislature must significantly increase state funding to provide for a fair share of statewide K-12 educational expenses to be paid with state funds?
__X___ YES _____ NO _____ DON'T KNOW
Comments (50 words or less)
My legislative initiative (Senate Bills 1163, 1164 & 1165) to eliminate the homeowner school property tax VIA a shift to a limited graduated State income tax on those with the greatest ability to pay (incomes over $100,000) would dramatically increase the State’s proportional share of school funding.
4. Do you agree that the Pennsylvania Legislature should continue to significantly increase state funding to increase access for young children in Pennsylvania to high-quality pre-K programs?
__X___ YES _____ NO _____ DON'T KNOW
Comments (50 words or less)
5. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Pennsylvania's system of funding public education? What should the Pennsylvania Legislature do, if anything, to improve the system of funding public education?
Comments (75 words or less)
Reform our system of school finance by eliminating inequitable homeowner school property taxes in favor of a broader and fairer system based on ability to pay.
6. What is your vision of the public education opportunity that the General Assembly should ensure be available to every child in Pennsylvania and what will you do to accomplish that goal?
Comments (75 words or less)
Continue to level the playing field from one district to the next so that all of Pennsylvania’s children – no matter their zip code – have the opportunity of both a “thorough” and “efficient” education.
7. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system?
Comments (75 words or less)
Work to encourage continued collaboration and partnerships among school districts to enhance efficiencies and above all, improve academic achievement by promoting and advancing programs with proven results.
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