The General Assembly recently enacted major early literacy reforms requiring schools to transition to evidence-based reading instruction and screening practices. While these reforms are expected to improve student outcomes, school districts face significant one-time transition costs.
This legislation establishes the Keystone Literacy Investment Act, a financing mechanism modeled after the Commonwealth’s Innovate in PA program, to provide upfront funding for early literacy implementation without requiring a new recurring General Fund appropriation.
This legislation:

• Authorizes the sale of deferred insurance premium tax credits to raise funds for early literacy implementation.
• Deposits proceeds into a restricted Early Literacy Implementation Fund.
• Delays use of the tax credits until a future year and caps the amount that may be claimed annually.
• Limits the total amount of credits that may be issued.
• Provides funding only for literacy implementation costs such as curriculum, screening tools, intervention programs, and educator training.
• Includes a sunset provision once the credits are exhausted.

This legislation represents a responsible, time-limited financing strategy to implement a law already passed by the General Assembly, while avoiding new ongoing pressure on the state’s General Fund.
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.