Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

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. MORE

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. MORE

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. MORE

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.

Further, right here in our beloved city, two police officers were shot amidst the festivities on the Ben Franklin

PFT Congratulates Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

June 30, 2022

Image Credit: AFL-CIO

PFT President Jerry Jordan upon the swearing in of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court:

"Today, we watched as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in to the US Supreme Court. Amidst so many challenges our society is facing, this was truly refreshing and a moment to pause and reflect on the history of this moment.

"As I shared in my statement upon her confirmation, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is immensely qualified, and her confirmation represents an historic moment. Justice Brown Jackson is the first Black woman justice of the SCOTUS, and

PFT Protests PA General Assembly's Bigoted Legislation

June 30, 2022

The Republican controlled State Legislature continues its destructive and bigoted path. This week, the State Senate passed a series of racist, anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, including an Anti-trans bill (SB972), a Book Banning bill (SB1277), and a Don't Say Gay bill (SB1278). As I said in my statement here, shame on the Republicans who are pushing forth this bigoted agenda.

Yesterday, PFT members Gemayel Keyes, Kate Sundeen, and Benjamin Hover spoke powerfully at a coalition press conference hosted by District Attorney Larry Krasner outside of CAPA. Watch the powerful event right here.

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