I am glad that our city, state and educational leaders have demonstrated creative thinking to help fund Philadelphia schools in a way that also encourages smokers to quit. But I am sad that our smart, well-intentioned leaders have had to resort to desperate measures in the form of a "sin" tax as a temporary funding solution to this vital issue of education. The investment in the education of Pennsylvania's public school students - regardless of the county - should come from all Pennsylvanians.
While we wait for the Senate to act, let's develop new long-term education funding that is equally creative and more appropriate than a Philadelphia-only cigarette sales tax. They could include:
- a sales tax on all online purchases made in the state.
- an activities and entertainment tax for tickets and licenses purchased in the state; for example: sporting event tickets purchased in Alleghany County, fishing licenses in Potter County, amusement park tickets in Lancaster County, theatre tickets in Philadelphia County.
- modify the state lottery so a portion of the proceeds is allocated to education of our youth in addition to the care of our seniors, or introduce a new game with proceeds earmarked for education.
Reach out to your legislator with other ideas for long-term, dedicated education funding that helps students not just in one county, but in all Pennsylvania counties. The future of our neighborhoods, towns and cities — and the entire Commonwealth — depends on the quality of education we provide our children today.
MATT CABREY, Uwchlan Twp., Chester County