Education
Education is the single most important investment a community makes in its future. MacKenzie's voting record says otherwise.
What's at Stake for District 131 Schools
Pennsylvania House District 131 encompasses five school districts: Southern Lehigh, Saucon Valley, East Penn, Salisbury Township, and Upper Perkiomen. Every one of these districts was affected by MacKenzie's votes on school funding.
In 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that the state's school funding system was unconstitutionally inequitable — a violation of every student's right to a quality education regardless of zip code. The legislature responded with a new funding formula and $1 billion in additional K-12 spending. MacKenzie voted against it. Twice.
District 131 includes households at every income level — from wealthy suburbs to rural communities with fewer resources. The new funding formula was designed to make sure every child, in every school district, got a fair shot. MacKenzie said no.
MacKenzie's Votes on Education
| Bill / Action | MacKenzie's Vote | What It Meant |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 State Budget General Appropriations Bill | NO | Voted against a budget that included $1 billion in new K-12 funding and a new equitable funding formula mandated by Commonwealth Court — with no tax increases. |
| HB 2370 Standalone education funding package | NO | Voted against the standalone bill implementing the court-ordered fair funding formula for Pennsylvania public schools. |
| HB 1432 School voucher program | CO-SPONSOR | Co-sponsored legislation to divert public school funding to private school vouchers — at the expense of the public schools District 131 families depend on. |
| HB 2813 "Don't Say Gay" bill | SPONSOR | Sponsored legislation to prohibit classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K–5. This bill would make LGBTQ+ students and families invisible in their own schools. |
Sources: Pennsylvania General Assembly roll call records. Bill numbers link to official PA legislature pages. MacKenzie has ten prime-sponsored bills from the 2023–24 session — none became law.
What Meriam Will Fight For
Fair Funding for Every School
Meriam fully supports the Commonwealth Court ruling and the new funding formula. Every child in District 131 — whether they live in Center Valley or Upper Hanover Township — deserves a quality public education. She will vote to fund it.
Oppose School Vouchers
Vouchers divert public money from public schools. Meriam opposes any scheme that takes funding away from the Southern Lehigh, Saucon Valley, East Penn, Salisbury, or Upper Perkiomen school districts to subsidize private tuition.
Support Teachers and Staff
Endorsed by the PSEA (PA State Education Association) and AFT Pennsylvania, Meriam has earned the trust of the educators who show up every day for our kids. She will work to ensure teachers are recruited, retained, and respected.
Career and Technical Education
Not every path runs through a four-year college. Meriam supports robust investment in career and technical education programs so that students in District 131 have access to the trades, healthcare pathways, and technical skills that lead to good-paying jobs in the Lehigh Valley.
Inclusive Schools for All Students
Every student deserves to come to school and feel safe, seen, and valued. Meriam opposes legislation designed to erase LGBTQ+ students and will work to ensure all of District 131's children have the full support of their public schools.
Endorsed by educators
Meriam Sabih is endorsed by the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) and AFT Pennsylvania — the two largest teachers unions in the state.
Help Elect Meriam to District 131
Every dollar and every volunteer hour helps close the gap in this winnable race.