Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

PFT President Jerry Jordan on PA Republicans' Legislation by Constitutional Amendment

July 8, 2022

PHILADELPHIA—Responding to the PA Senate Republicans' passage of a multi-faceted constitutional amendment bill, including an abortion ban and voter ID regulations, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

"Time and again, the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania legislature has shown us their true character. Today, they did so by carrying out a disgraceful attack on the rights so many of us hold dear.

"The PA Senate Republicans are working to circumvent the Governor and legislate by constitutional amendment. Their villainous passage of Senate Bill 106 includes a ban on abortion, and it includes racist voter ID provisions. Their agenda has been clear for years. Their cruelty knows no limits.

PFT President Jerry Jordan on President Biden's Executive Order on Reproductive Health

July 8, 2022

PHILADELPHIA—Responding to President Joe Biden's efforts to safeguard abortions, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

"In the wake of SCOTUS' reprehensible decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and in light of the PA Republicans' nefarious efforts to outlaw abortion in Pennsylvania (underway right now), I am grateful that President Biden is taking important steps today to safeguard a woman's right to abortion access. The President's executive order today, which includes access to medication for abortion among a host of other measures, demonstrates important leadership when we desperately need it.

PFT President Jerry Jordan on PA Senate Republicans' Eleventh Hour Efforts to Ban Abortion

July 8, 2022
PHILADELPHIA—Responding to the PA Senate Republicans' efforts to ban abortion in the Commonwealth, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

"I am outraged and disgusted by the nefarious scheme that the PA Senate Republicans are carrying out in the State Capitol. While most of Pennsylvania was asleep last night, Senate Republicans unveiled a last ditch effort to ban abortion in the Commonwealth.

"It is a cruel form of irony to claim to protect ‘life’ while believing that this obligation begins and ends before the birth of a child.

Legislative Memo: Opposition to Abortion Ban

July 7, 2022

To: Members of the General Assembly

From: Jerry T. Jordan, President

Re: Opposition to Abortion Ban

It is a cruel form of irony to claim to protect ‘life’ while believing that this obligation begins and ends before the birth of a child. I am outraged by the General Assembly’s move to ban abortion in the Commonwealth via constitutional amendment.

The General Assembly should be laser focused on investing in programs and services (including women’s healthcare) that support our communities. The proposed abortion ban is the latest in a series of horrific proposals emanating from the state legislature, and it must be roundly rejected.

Legislative Memo: Opposition to EITC Expansion

July 7, 2022

To: Members of the General Assembly

From: Jerry T. Jordan, President

Re: Opposition to EITC (Voucher) Expansion

No matter the form, vouchers harm public schools. Whether in the form of EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) expansion, ESA (Education Savings Accounts) creation, or any other mechanism, vouchers siphon money from traditional public schools without any fiscal, operational, administrative, or academic performance accountability or transparency.

We are opposed to any education bill that incorporates voucher expansion into an already over-funded program.

Reflections After a Tragic Fourth

Message to PFT Members

July 6, 2022

Dear Members,

In the wake of a tragic fourth of July, I write today to share some reflections on the state of our nation.

Our nation is once again reeling from the horror of a deadly mass shooting. There are no words that could possibly suffice when, amidst a celebratory parade, seven people were murdered and dozens more injured. My thoughts and my deepest sympathies are with those who suffered an unbearable loss in the mass shooting in Illinois.