James Roebuck

Part 1: The EITC — What Is It?

The Educational Improvement Tax Credit is promoted as a way to provide a better education for poor children, but public education advocates say it actually takes away tax money that could be used to improve schools.

2012/11/08

Susan Gobreski, of Education Voters of Pennsylvania. Her organization says the EITC undermines public education. Credit: Pat Loeb)

Part 2: Who’s Hurt by the EITC?

Expanding the program at a time when the state has slashed public school funding is infuriating public education advocates.

2012/11/08

(Construction is underway on a new building on the campus of the Agnes Irwin School, in Rosemont, Pa. Credit: Pat Loeb)

Part 3: Who Benefits From It?

“BLOCS provides scholarships from your business taxes to students who not only want to attend a Catholic school but are most in need,” says one advertisement.

2012/11/08

(Pa. state senator Anthony Williams visits the Patterson Elementary School in Southwest Philadelphia. Credit: Pat Loeb)

Part 4: Ongoing Controversies

State senator Tony Williams defends the program as similar to the GI Bill, but some of his Harrisburg colleagues see it as improperly favoring closed groups.

2012/11/08

Pa. Voters Picking Candidates For State Legislature Today

Voters in Pennsylvania are choosing party nominees for state legislative races and in some areas, they’ll also be voting for candidates who’ll serve the unexpired terms of lawmakers who’ve resigned.

2012/04/24

(State Rep. Mike Sturla, in this file photo, was among those in Philadelphia Tuesday to talk about 'Senate Bill 1')

Hearing On Controversial School Voucher Proposal Held

A Pennsylvania House Democratic committee travelled to Philadelphia Tuesday for the first in a series of hearings on a controversial school voucher proposal.

2011/02/23

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