Apr. 26, 2017
HARRISBURG - Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) today attended an executive order signing with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in the White House Roosevelt Room. The event highlighted the concept of federalism, returning powers to states and local communities, especially in the area of education.
Trump signed an executive order which called on Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to review and reduce or eliminate federal regulations and directives that limit local control of K-12 education. The president stressed that the federal government has overreached in many areas, especially in the area of education.
The speaker was invited to represent Pennsylvania and attended the event with six governors, DeVos and members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
“I was honored to represent Pennsylvania at the White House today and to support President Trump’s efforts to reduce federal regulations and return control to the states and local school districts,” said Turzai. “It is truly refreshing to have a president that is so respectful of federalism, which the founders valued, by working with state and local leaders.”
Turzai has long advocated for educational options for Pennsylvania students and parents. As the son of a public school teacher, he recognizes that one size does not fit all.
“The focus of our education system should be on the students and families. We need great public schools, but we also need to support other options including charters, opportunity scholarships and quality vocational technical education,” he said.
Trump’s action today builds upon previous actions which have reduced federal control and emphasized state and local power. These include:
• Taking action to repeal the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which would have vastly expanded the EPA’s jurisdiction and subjected farmers, small businesses, landowners and local governments to federal permits which, on average, cost in excess of $200,000 and subject them to potential penalties of as much as $37,500 per day.
• Taking action to proactively work with states to provide flexibility in the management of their Medicaid programs.
• Empowering states to make decisions on Title X family planning funding.
• Nullifying federal regulations governing the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act, providing states with more flexibility.
• Nullifying federal regulations imposing new standards on teacher education and preparation, giving states more flexibility.
Representative Mike Turzai
Speaker of the House
28th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
RepTurzai.com /
Facebook.com/RepTurzai /
Twitter.com/RepTurzai
Media Contact: Stephen Miskin
Smiskin@pahousegop.com
717.756.3936 (cell) / Twitter: @SAM1963