April 22, 2016
The Insider News is a weekly look at the work of the Keystone Research Center and the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.
20th Anniversary Conference
Are you registered yet for KRC’s 20th Anniversary Conference? It's just around the corner — June 8-9 — and it's going to be amazing. We'll celebrate 20 years of progressive economic activism and kick off KRC’s next decade of collaboration with statewide and local partners to achieve a Pennsylvania economy that works for all. Speakers include Saru Jayaraman, Restaurant Opportunity Centers United, and Carmen Rojas, The Workers Lab. Plus two dozen interactive workshops and hundreds of your friends and colleagues.
We just launched a new website where we’ll be continually updating the speakers list, the agenda, and much more information about the conference. Check it out here.
Join us for the conference — and think about becoming a sponsor. There are lots of sponsorship and advertising opportunities, big and small. Check them out here orcontact Stephanie Frank for more information.
Space is limited, so register today!
Pennsylvania’s Choice
Last week, we told you about the launch of the Pennsylvania's Choice campaign. A diverse collection of organizations from across the state, including education advocates, community service organizations, faith-based groups, environmental groups and labor organizations have come together to bring attention to the devastating consequences of budget cuts across the commonwealth and to advocate for a Pennsylvania budget that best serves the people.
Since last week, we've added new member organizations and held planning meetings with organizers in 31 districts across the state.
One ask — if you haven't already done so, please sign up for updates and information by clicking here.
This is the best way for you to stay informed about campaign activities and opportunities to engage. Please sign up!
This Week's PBPC Podcast
On this week's podcast, we welcome SEIU 668 President Tom Herman to talk about how budget uncertainty affects his members across the state, and why SEIU 668 felt it was so important to join the Pennsylvania's Choice budget campaign.
You can listen to Episode 7 here.
You can follow and subscribe to all our podcasts in the iTunes store here, or on Soundcloud here.
On Monday, May 2 the Campaign for Fair Education Funding along with parents, students, teachers, and school and community leaders from across the state will rally for fair education funding at the state Capitol in Harrisburg.
WHO: The Campaign for Fair Education Funding
WHAT: Rally for Fair Education Funding
WHERE: The state Capitol, Harrisburg
WHEN: Monday, May 2 (12:30 p.m. press conference in the Main Rotunda)
WHY: There is no more pressing issue facing lawmakers than fixing Pennsylvania's broken public school funding system
Want to join? Fill out this form and someone from the Campaign will be in touch with you!
KRC/PBPC In The News
PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS - Commentary: Those feeling brunt of soda tax will also feel benefits
By Marc Stier - The sugary-drink tax proposed by Mayor Kenney, also known as the "soda tax," is controversial because it takes a greater share of the income from poor families than rich ones. And since we at the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center are fundamentally committed to economic justice, we are always inclined to be suspicious of taxes that do that.
PCN ON THE ISSUES - Marc Stier on the Budget, Revenue, and PA's Choice
PBPC Director Marc Stier appeared on PCN this week to talk about the budget and PBPC's recent paper about options for new revenue. Video of the interview is behind a paywall, but available on the PNC Select site.
TIMES LEADER - Pennsylvania lags behind other states in raising minimum wage
According to John Dodds, the Keystone Research Center has estimated that the increase in wages would generate $121.5 million though income and sales taxes.
“We can help better the lives of 1.2 million low-wage workers who have gone without a state increase in the minimum wage since 2007,” said Dodds, who believes Republican leadership is blocking legislation and preventing a vote on the issue.
THE RICK SMITH SHOW - Marc Stier tells PA voters that they have a voice at PAChoice.org
Marc Stier, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, discusses the Pennsylvania Choice Campaign and why telling stories about the effects of budget cuts can move the needle in Harrisburg.
