Lawmakers Request Specifics on Common Core Standards

4/9/2013

HARRISBURG –Last week, three state representatives issued a letter to Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Ron Tomalis requesting more information about the impact that the pending imposition of national Common Core Standards may have on Pennsylvania school districts.

Reps. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland), Rob Kauffman (R-Cumberland/Franklin), and John Lawrence (R-Chester) asked Tomalis to clarify aspects of the Common Core Standards, including how the standards would apply to private schools and those who are homeschooled, estimated costs of implementation and ramifications for curriculum.

Specifically, the lawmakers expressed concern that by seeking to qualify for federal education grants, PDE may be exposing school districts and students to mandated federal education requirements and textbooks, removing the local control Pennsylvanians demand from the schools funded by their tax dollars.

“I have constituents who are very worried that attempting to adhere to Common Core Standards will end up distracting and detracting from the efforts of our school leaders and teachers,” Bloom said.  “Our schools need to be flexible to focus on the education of our community’s children, not satisfying the whims of Washington bureaucrats.”

“There are rising concerns that the Common Core could mean taking away control from our locally elected school boards,” said Bloom. “Federal mandates or coerced obligations to federal authorities risk dumbing down our educational outcomes and leaving our kids behind in the global economy.”

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a set of academic standards, developed as a result of a nationwide initiative to adopt a consistent set of educational standards among the states.  Presently, 45 states and the District of Columbia, as well as three U.S. territories, have adopted these “voluntary” standards. The Pennsylvania State Board of Education adopted the standards in July 2010 for English language arts and mathematics through regulatory process, without legislative approval. The transition to Common Core began during the 2010-11 school year. According to PDE, full implementation is expected by July 1, 2013.

A copy of the lawmakers’ letter sent to Tomalis is available here. The letter is also available for download at www.RepBloom.com.

Representative Stephen Bloom
199th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact:  Abbey Fosnot
717.260.6222
afosnot@pahousegop.com
RepBloom.com / Facebook.com/RepBloom/Twitter.com/RepBloom

Pennsylvania House Republican Members Call on Senator Toomey to Stand Up for Second Amendment Rights

4/10/2013

HARRISBURG — State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) and 75 House Republicans sent a letter yesterday to U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) urging him to stand with his constituency in support of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The letter reads:

“The majority of state legislators in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives believe that the right to bear arms must be vigorously defended, as evidenced by the passage of Castle Doctrine (Act 10 of 2011). Here in Pennsylvania, we have a longstanding history in support of our God-given, constitutionally-affirmed Second Amendment freedom. We swore to uphold and defend both the Pennsylvania and United States Constitutions the day we took office. As Article 1, Section 21 of our state Constitution reads, ‘The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.’ We stand in defense of our Constitutions.

“We write to you today to request that you stand with us. As part of our elected representation in Washington, D.C., we urge you to reject any compromise that would advance any new gun control measures, including ‘universal’ or ‘comprehensive’ background checks that are being advocated for by New York City Mayor Bloomberg, Obama, Biden, Senator Chuck Schumer or any other individuals seeking to violate the rights of law abiding citizens instead of stopping criminals. Our country does not need additional gun control laws from the federal or state levels of government. We should work to actively enforce our current laws; to stop those who are committing crimes against their fellow citizens.

“In 2011, just in Pennsylvania alone, our citizens purchased over 600,000 firearms and our county sheriffs issued over 166,000 licenses to carry firearms, according to data from the Pennsylvania State Police. Meanwhile, crimes committed with firearms continue to decrease as issuance of licenses to carry firearms increases. Since 2006, Pennsylvania has seen an over 20 percent reduction in violent crimes committed with firearms. These statistics prove that an armed law abiding citizenry is the best deterrent to crime.

“Enhanced gun control measures ultimately hinder the freedoms of law abiding citizens. As Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.’

“We encourage and expect you to stand with us to protect our God-given right to keep and bear arms.”

A copy of the letter and a list of signatories can be viewed here.

http://www.repmetcalfe.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=17051#.UWV9jWqn0dN.facebook

 

Republican Women visit Harrisburg!

Republican Women from across the state of Pennsylvania headed to Harrisburg, PA on April 8th, 2013 for Legislative Day/ Red Jacket Day.  They spent the day hearing about legislation that is being introduced and how they can make a difference.

SUN (Snyder, Union, & Northumberland counties) attend Red Jacket Day in Harrisburg, PA.
SUN (Snyder, Union, & Northumberland counties) attend Red Jacket Day in Harrisburg, PA.
2013 Red Jacket Day - Mifflin
Mifflin County is in the process of establishing a PA Federation of Republican Women’s Council. PFRW was glad to have Mifflin County ladies join us for Red Jacket Day.