In Pennsylvania, a $864 million education funding reform bill is passed by the House, while California reintroduces the California Journalism Preservation Act to compensate news outlets for published content. Both states are witnessing substantial policy changes in public education and journalism.
Pennsylvania and California Legislative Updates on Education Funding and Media Compensation
HARRISBURG, PA — On June 10, 2024, the Pennsylvania House passed a major education funding reform bill aimed at increasing state funding for public schools. This legislation, approved by a bipartisan vote of 107-94, proposes to inject $864 million into public education for the next academic year, with a total of $5.4 billion over seven years. Low-tax districts would need to supplement with local tax increases. The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate, where its future remains uncertain due to economic concerns.
The reform includes “adequacy targets” to determine necessary spending per district and proposes significant funds for Philadelphia schools. Additionally, it addresses teacher shortages by potentially raising minimum salaries to $60,000 annually. The bill also plans to reduce tuition rates for cyber charter schools, potentially saving districts $530 million next year.
SACRAMENTO, CA — California lawmakers have revived Assembly Bill 886, the “California Journalism Preservation Act,” which mandates online platforms to compensate news outlets for published content. Introduced by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, the revised bill aims to support journalism by having digital platforms pay a fee based on the number of journalists employed, rather than article impressions. Funds gathered would be distributed to news outlets, with 70% used for journalist salaries.
New amendments address small publishers’ concerns by allowing more flexibility in fund usage. Despite previous opposition, including Google’s removal of California news links, the bill returns to the legislative floor with adjustments aligned with Canada’s model. A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing is scheduled for June 25, 2024. Lawmakers seek a balance that supports journalism without overburdening tech platforms.
Both legislative efforts in Pennsylvania and California reflect significant policy shifts aimed at improving public education and supporting the journalism industry, amid varying degrees of bipartisan support.
