A Rally In Harrisburg For Philadelphia School Funding
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Supporters rallied for more funding for Philadelphia schools in the state capitol Tuesday.
Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson told supporters gathered in the state capitol rotunda that the state needs a new school funding formula.
"A funding formula is a long-term solution," Johnson said. "However, right now we need an emergency solution."
Johnson wants the state to authorize more money for Philadelphia schools and to allow the city to increase cigarette taxes to raise school revenue.
"There's a conversation about a number of revenue enhancing elements as we speak today," State Senator Anthony Williams said. "A cigarette tax is certainly a part of that and on a track to actually being adopted."
Williams remarks notwithstanding, a spokesman for the leader of the Senate majority Republicans said Tuesday that while the cigarette tax is one revenue source being discussed, it's too soon to say how it will play out.