In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to establish the Keystone Literacy Investment Act to provide upfront funding for early literacy implementation without requiring a new recurring General Fund appropriation.
 
Recently, the General Assembly enacted major early literacy reforms requiring schools to transition to evidence-based reading instruction and screening practices. These reforms will improve student literacy outcomes, however, it leaves school districts to face significant one-time transition costs.
 
This legislation will:

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

 
I believe this is a responsible strategy to help our school districts provide this crucial instruction to our students without placing additional strain on the Commonwealth’s General Fund. This legislation will be a companion bill to Representative Ortitay’s HB 2541.
 
I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.