Brian Cohen
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Back in Philly - Cigarettes and School Boards

9/29/2014

2 Comments

 
Over the past several months there has (again) been turmoil in the School District of Philadelphia regarding the District budget. As has been the case in each of the previous four years, the tax income is not large enough to provide for all the expenses. With costs increasing year after year and the revenue remaining too low, the District, City Council, and Governor Corbett have finally agreed to a $2-per-carton tax on cigarettes purchased in Philadelphia. The new revenue is supposed to close the gap that has been growing over the past few years. While it is unfortunate that the city must perversely gain money from the use of a harmful substance, it is good that policies are being debated that will hopefully upset the system so much that change will take place.

Other upset that is currently in the mix includes a referendum to remove the School Reform Commission, currently in control of the District and its finances. City Council has approved it, and potential mayoral candidates are touting that the vote in November would guarantee its dissolution. 

The only problem with that theory is that according to law, the only one with the authority to disband the SRC is the PA secretary of education who can only do so if the majority of the SRC votes to do so. In essence, the SRC has to decide to disband itself.

This seems like a fairly ridiculous notion but might take place if a new Mayor and potentially a new Governor are able to install new members who would be keen on the idea. We'll see what happens if that takes place. 
2 Comments
Totally Not Your Brother
9/29/2014 09:58:46 am

Is it "unfortunate that the city must perversely gain money from the use of a harmful substance"? Really?

Sin taxes are a win-win: they raise revenue while simultaneously discouraging harmful activities. Taxation is the most effective way to change people's behavior, so this bill will ultimately reduce the "use of a harmful substance" that you find so distateful. What's so perverse about that?

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Brian Cohen
9/29/2014 10:36:09 am

The reason I say it is unfortunate is that it is not a sustainable thing for the future. 1) It's not sustainable if people continue smoking in general (because that's bad for you) and 2) It does not provide the full funding needed for the District.

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    I am a math teacher in the New York Department of Education. I infuse technology and real-world problems into my curriculum in order to prepare my students for the future. I would love for people across the country to recognize we teachers can't do it alone. If you don't believe me, come visit my classroom!

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