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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 21, 2018 10:18 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative William C. Kortz, II |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Increased Funding for Safe Schools Targeted Grants |
| On Wednesday, February 14, 2018, a 19 year old gunman opened fire in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing approximately 17 students and teachers. Yet again, we as legislators are met with the horrific realization that “something must be done” to prevent more death and tragedy from occurring. In an effort to continue protection and pursue more preventative safety measures in Pennsylvania schools, I am proposing legislation that would increase funding for the Safe Schools Targeted Grants program by $30 million, totaling approximately $38.5 million in overall funding. This proposal would include incremental increases with an eventual cap of $50 million, and would allow school entities to apply for the grant annually rather than biannually. This funding would continue to be purposed for the training and compensation of school resource officers and school police officers, as well as for funding programs or security-related equipment that would address school safety and violence. When students, teachers, administrators, parents, and staff enter their school buildings each day, they are supposed to walk in with a sense of security and trust in the school’s ability to protect them from harm. We as lawmakers are responsible for ensuring their continued safety so that they may work, teach, learn, and play in peace. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB2150