Twin school funding and reform

ISSUE | SCHOOL FUNDS

Twinned with reform

In their commentary arguing for more school funding before reform, Adam Schott and David Lapp omit the chronology ("Before reform, fund properly," July 23). In all of the states they cite - Louisiana, Tennessee, and Massachusetts - reform preceded more funding.

In Louisiana, the Legislature created the Recovery School District two years before the state received a large influx of federal and philanthropic money to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Both Tennessee and Massachusetts received Race to the Top funds after they implemented new laws to transform their lowest-performing schools - a big reason their awards dwarfed Pennsylvania's.

Schools improve when states pair real transformation with increased investment. That's why the state needs fair student funding and accountability for long-struggling schools.

|Mark Gleason, Philadelphia School Partnership, and Mike Wang, Philadelphia School Advocacy Partners

ISSUE | OBAMA LEGACY

Not a sorry state

Employment is up, more people have health insurance, real estate sales are up, Washington is making peace with former adversaries, the stock market is up, and we're bringing more troops home. And it's all President Obama's fault. Peace and progress? What's this country coming to?

|Rocco J. Polidoro, Springfield, roccojohn@comcast.net

ISSUE | U.S. SENATE

Shunned unfairly

I am saddened by Katie McGinty's apparent move to challenge Joe Sestak for the Democratic Senate nomination position ("McGinty's winning style won fans, if not votes," July 27). It reinforces the fact that neither the national nor the Pennsylvania Democratic leadership feels compelled to support Sestak, because he will not kowtow to party pressure. Sestak speaks his mind, offers concrete solutions with measurable benchmarks, and holds himself accountable.

|John W. Marshall, West Grove, jwment@comcast.net

ISSUE | GUN VIOLENCE

Firepower access

Once again, we learn after the fact that a mentally ill gunman used a weapon that he never should have been able to purchase in a mass shooting ("La. theater shooting leaves 3 dead, 7 hurt," July 24). While gun control remains very challenging, why can't the reasonable restrictions in place to prevent mentally ill individuals from acquiring guns be followed and enforced?

|Frannie Rink, Lansdowne

ISSUE | DINING OUT LOUD

Steering clear of noisy eateries

I'm a hearing-impaired person, and the decibel levels in many restaurants make it impractical for me to go to them ("Quelling the din in Phila.'s eateries," July 26). Regardless of how expensive your hearing aid is, it cannot overcome the din.

We recently had dinner at a loud restaurant in New Jersey with two other couples. Not only did I barely hear the conversation, but our companions with good hearing had the same issue. Rather than making it lively, noise means I cross a restaurant off my list.

|Donna Iannelli, Haddon Heights, iannellid@yahoo.com

Staff at even greater hearing risk

The outrageous decibel levels in restaurants has been a pet peeve of mine, and it's worth noting that the risk of hearing loss applies to restaurant employees even more than to customers.

|Caryl Carpenter, Chester

A legal duty to turn down the volume

Many people who use hearing aids are discriminated against in noisy restaurants under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that restaurants be accessible to meet the law's equal-benefit standard - in this case, of enjoying the food. Let's hope restaurants do not need litigation to make them comply.

|Stephen F. Gold, Philadelphia, stevegoldada1@gmail.com

ISSUE | MILESTONES

Last Phils' appearance even more memorable

I'm an avid Phillies fan, and Cole Hamels has been a favorite for years ("A Philly gem," July 26). After I learned that Hamels was pitching Saturday, it took all my willpower not to suggest to my son that the two of us fly to Chicago for the weekend and watch Hamels pitch.

Going to a game at Wrigley Field would be enough of a treat, but to watch Hamels pitch what likely was going to be his last game for the home team knocked the idea out of the ballpark.

Instead, I decided to settle for viewing the game on TV. Lacking a recorder, I texted my son to ask if he would tape it. I guess I just had a feeling something special was going to happen. And it sure did.

|Robyn S. Willner, West Conshohocken, rsg42@comcast.net

ISSUE | PA. BUDGET IMPASSE

Ideology more than good-government

The right wing's plan to shut down Pennsylvania yet again is difficult to understand ("Pa. budget impasse is far from resolution," July 26). The legislature is threatening to delay money for special-needs people, schools, and seniors. Their apparent goal: to privatize State Stores and obliterate a public pension system that has existed for 100 years.

The Harrisburg logjam seems to be based more on ideology than on responsible governing.

|George Roesser, Hatboro