Thompson applauds Wolf’s release of federal education funds, questions timeliness

U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) welcomed news on Tuesday that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf will release millions of federal dollars to assist low-income, disadvantaged and disabled students.

Wolf will release $2.53 billion of the main K-12 education funding line, which is what the schools would have expected to receive through Dec. 31 under the proposed Republican budget.

“Today’s announcement that the governor will finally be releasing federal funds for education is welcomed, but this news should have come many months ago,” Thompson, a member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, said. “The governor mentioned today that he did not want to hold students ‘hostage,’ but that is precisely what he has done for the past six months.

“These funds, which are solely federal dollars, are essential to combat the effects of poverty upon students and disabled learners across the commonwealth. This is why on Oct. 23, I joined my colleagues in calling on the governor to stop playing politics and do right by Pennsylvania’s students.”

In a letter sent to Wolf on Oct. 23, Thompson said that the lack of funds for education in the state had led to teachers going without pay, schools taking out private loans, and vendors providing products and services on credit.