Bill protecting Pa. investments in Israel advances in Senate; House GOP seeks action on Holocaust transparency
Jun. 25—HARRISBURG — A bipartisan bill proposing to protect Pennsylvania’s investments in Israel found momentum in the state Senate while Republicans in the state House are working to force a vote on a transparency proposal concerning Holocaust education in public schools.
Senate Bill 1260 from Sens. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, and Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-York, advanced out of the Senate State Government Committee on Tuesday on a 9-2 vote with support from all Republicans and two Democrats. It now moves closer to a floor vote by the full Senate which has a Republican majority.
The proposed Stand with Israel Act looks to prevent state government along with public and private universities from divesting from Israel or companies that do business with Israel amid protests over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Santarsiero first introduced such a bill in 2015.
The bill includes strong language in support of the U.S.-Israel relationship, calling Israel “America’s dependable, democratic ally in the Middle East, an area of paramount strategic importance to the United States.”
Under the bill’s terms, public funds would be prohibited from boycotting or divesting from Israel through any holdings, direct or indirect, or any commercial financial activity.
Public funds identified in the bill are the State Employees’ Retirement Fund, Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund, the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Fund and any commonwealth fund under the direction of the state treasurer.
According to the bill’s sponsors, its terms wouldn’t impact “investment decisions made solely in advancing the financial position of the funds.”
A key provision would be potential punishment for universities that boycott or divest considering the student protests that have spread throughout college campuses this spring. The universities risk losing state funding should that come to pass. That includes all community colleges, schools within the State System of Higher Education, state-related universities like Penn State and Pitt, and private or independent colleges that receive public funds.
The current year’s budget directs more than $261 million to community colleges, $585 million to PASSHE schools and about $600 million combined to the four state-related universities.
“Like America, Israel will not be bullied by detractors,” Phillips-Hill said. “This bipartisan measure ensures that antisemitic tactics will never weaken our unwavering resolve to stand with our most vital ally in the Middle East.”
Meanwhile, in the state House, three Republicans are pursuing a discharge resolution to force a vote on House Bill 1986, the transparency measure for Holocaust education.
Reps. Kristin Marcell of Bucks County, Martina White of Philadelphia, and Rob Mercuri of Allegheny County are pursuing the resolution. They wrote a letter to Democratic leadership challenging them about a lack of action.
The bill, introduced in January, would allow parents to review materials and lesson plans including primary textbooks, resources and online materials. It’s assigned to the House Education Committee but hasn’t been brought up for consideration.
House rules for the 2023-24 legislative session require 25 members of both the Democratic and Republican caucuses to sign a discharge resolution for a proposal to be considered without being approved and advanced out of its assigned House committee.
A similar effort is underway by House Republicans to bring a vote on a proposed constitutional amendment for universal voter identification.
“With an Economist poll finding that 1 in 5 young Americans believe the Holocaust is a myth, it is clear we need to ensure our children understand the profound impact of these historical events and recognize the importance of combating antisemitism in all its forms,” Marcell said in a statement announcing the discharge resolution. “Despite a growing number of antisemitic incidents across the Commonwealth, the Democratic majority has failed to act on any legislation this session to address these issues.”
White plans separate legislation jeopardizing state funding for institutions of higher education “that support or promote antisemitism” and also ban wearing face coverings and masks in public spaces with certain exceptions.
Mercuri plans a bill that would require any universities receiving state funding to enact anti-harassment policies addressing antisemitism.