Mark Pinsley, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania Senate District 16, wants the state to pay most of the cost of public schools, instead of local property taxes, so every child has enough well-paid teachers, supplies and safe buildings. He would also give every child a free school lunch, so no one has to learn hungry. Before asking families for another dollar, he wants to know where the money Pennsylvania already spends is going.
Our children are our future, he says. Let’s mean it.
A court already ruled it unconstitutional
On February 7, 2023, Commonwealth Court Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer ruled that Pennsylvania’s school funding system violates the state constitution. The state’s leaders didn’t appeal, so the ruling stands. (Education Law Center)
The court found that relying on local property taxes had created deep gaps between wealthy and poor districts. (Lehigh Valley Press)
The state has since measured how far short it falls, about $4.5 billion, and has been closing that gap at roughly $500 million a year. (WHYY) At that pace, closing the gap takes about nine years, as long as a child spends in kindergarten through eighth grade.
The problem
Pennsylvania pays for public schools mostly with local property taxes. The state covers the smaller share.
That causes two problems:
- Unequal schools. Districts with expensive homes can raise plenty of money. Districts without them can’t, no matter how high they set their tax rate.
- High property taxes. Property taxes are doing a job the state budget should be doing.
In Lehigh County, school district tax rates run from about 18 to 26 mills. The county’s rate is 3.78. (Lehigh County millage sheet) The school tax is five to seven times bigger — so real relief for homeowners has to come from school funding.
Free lunch for every child
Pennsylvania already provides every public school student a free breakfast, regardless of income. Lunch is different. For the 2025–26 school year, a family of four had to earn $41,795 or less for free lunch. (Pennsylvania Department of Education) A family earning just above that pays full price, and some kids run up lunch debt.
Pinsley would make school lunch free for every child, the same way breakfast already is. It’s simpler for schools to run, and no child has to sit in class hungry.
More than one path after high school
Every student is different. College is the right path for some. For others, career and technical education, apprenticeships or a skilled trade can lead to a good-paying career without tens of thousands of dollars in college debt. Pinsley would expand those options and better connect students with the jobs available in Pennsylvania. (The Morning Call, October 5, 2026)
How he would pay for it
1. Follow the money first. Pennsylvania spends billions of dollars every year. Before asking families for another dollar, Pinsley wants to know where the money the state already collects is going, and whether students are getting results. That’s the approach that saved Lehigh County $3 million on prescriptions in a single year. (The Morning Call, October 5, 2026)
2. Legal, regulated marijuana. Pinsley would legalize marijuana for adults and put the tax revenue toward schools and property tax relief. More: What is Mark Pinsley’s position on legalizing recreational marijuana?
3. Regular reassessment. Lehigh County hasn’t reassessed since 2012, and a report from his office found lower-priced homes are over-taxed as a result. (Property Assessment Equity, July 2024)
4. Fix charter school funding. When a student goes to a charter school, public school tax dollars follow them. Properly funding public schools and reforming charter and voucher funding go together.
Common questions
“Will this raise my taxes?” The goal is the opposite. The school tax is the biggest part of most property tax bills, so moving school costs to the state is how homeowners get real relief.
“Isn’t the only choice underfunded schools or higher taxes?” Pinsley rejects that choice. He would start by finding out where the state’s money is going now, and make sure it reaches students. (The Morning Call, October 5, 2026)
“Does he support vouchers?” No. He says sending public dollars to private schools doesn’t fix the problems public schools face, and leaves them with fewer resources. More: What do school vouchers cost Pennsylvania taxpayers?
District 16 covers parts of Lehigh and Bucks counties. The general election is November 3, 2026.
