Posted: | April 11, 2023 05:41 PM |
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From: | Representative Malcolm Kenyatta and Rep. Steve Samuelson |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Teacher Recruitment and Retention Tax Credits |
Pennsylvania is facing an unprecedented shortage of teachers in classrooms across the state. According to a report published earlier this year by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, the pipeline of newly certified teachers has plunged by 67% since 2011. In Philadelphia alone, there were more than 200 unfilled teaching positions going into the current school year. In his first budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro unveiled a plan to combat this dangerous trend and put more qualified teachers into classrooms across Pennsylvania. His plan calls for a personal income tax credit of up to $2,500 every year for up to three years for any newly certified teacher. We applaud and support this plan but feel we can go even further. Our legislation would deliver on Governor Shapiro’s plan and create the Teacher Recruitment Tax Credit for new teachers who receive their certification and find employment as a teacher. In addition, my legislation would create the Teacher Retention Tax Credit for existing certified and employed teachers. This credit would provide a one-time personal income tax credit of up to $2,500 to show our gratitude for the continuing commitment our teachers have to educating future generations of Pennsylvanians. Please join us in cosponsoring this timely and important legislation. |