Allen Calls Out Rep Tomlinson for “Lip Service” on Charter School Funding Reform

Democratic candidate for State Rep Bryan Allen called out his opponent current state Rep  Republican K.C. Tomlinson re, in response to her statements that the state budget was a major win for Bensalem schools.

According to the press release, Allen said, Tomlinson is dancing around the fact that schools in Tomlinson’s district only receive 8% of the budget. 

“When the families of Bensalem receive their property taxes, they won’t see a win, but a higher bill than the year before. School districts struggle to keep afloat; even after multiple tax increases, they’re forced to cut programs and opportunities for our students.”

Allen has accused Tomlinson of spending six years circulating memos promising to address educational funding, but never bringing the legislation to fruition. 

Tomlinson forcefully pushed back in response. 

Credit: PA General Assembly

“Introducing a co-sponsor memo is just a small piece of the actual legislative process. It spurs conversation, encourages debate, and engages stakeholders in serious discussion. All of which is necessary in drafting legislation with the best possible outcome of actually getting it accomplished.”

 When the State House Education Committee passed H.B 2634, a bill that promised to bring vital charter school reform to local school districts and taxpayers, Tomlinson did not support the bill at all, Allen said. 

 According to a Bensalem Weekly report,  the funding formula driving Bensalem’s education budget crisis involves brick-and-mortar charter special education payments. 

llen said educational funding reform is a priority for his campaign, and he’s long supported H.B 2634. 

Allen said he’s going to fight to fix a broken educational system in PA, starting in his very first term if elected. 

Editor’s Note: Lower Bucks Contributor Joshua Thompson works for the Bensalem School District as a teachers assistant. Since this story is a campaign related item LBS determined it is appropriate for him to write the story as a long as this disclaimer is attached. 

Editor’s Note 2: Publisher Editor Jeff Bohen contributed to the writing and editing of this story.