Pennsylvania State Representatives K.C. Tomlinson and Craig Staats voted against a bill providing children free lunch in schools on Monday.
HB 2180 bill was introduced by Rep. Emily Kinkead, who said the legislation “would not only provide free meals to students in grades K-12, but it would also eliminate the school meal debt.” The bill passed 118-84, with 16 Republicans joining every Democrat in saying yes.
Bucks County House Democrats vote on School Meal Debt Fund: Tim Brennan (yes), Tina Davis (yes), Brian Munroe (yes), Jim Prokopia (yes), Perry S. Warren (yes).
Bucks County House Republicans Vote on School Meal Debt Fund: Joe Hogan (yes), Shelby Labs (yes), Kristin Marcell (yes), Craig T. Statts (no), K.C. Tomlinson (no).
“Rep. K.C. Tomlinson joined other MAGA Republicans by voting against free lunch for children in need, a heartless vote that will hit hardest the most impoverished student populations. There is no justification for a ‘No’ vote when it comes to feeding our children,” said the PA House Democratic Campaign Committee in a press release.
Tomlinson is currently running against Anand Patel in the 18th district. Before running for the PA House, Patel was the only Democrat elected on Bensalem’s school board. On his campaign website, his number-one issue is quality education, which says, “He will vote for legislation that makes sure our school receives their fair share of funding so that every student can succeed.”
“Anand Patel’s background as a father, passionate public advocate and the sole Democrat on the Bensalem School Board in 2015 ensures he will vote in the best interest of Pennsylvania’s youth,” said the PAHDCC. “A strong Democratic majority in the State House is vital to guarantee Democratic legislation makes it past Republican opposition. Once elected, Patel will vote in line with other House Democrats in support of compassionate legislation like HB 2180.”
Staats, who represents the 145th District in Upper Bucks, faces Democrat Vera Cole in November.
The bill now heads to the more conservative State Senate, where Republicans hold a 28-22 majority. In 2022, State Sen. Lindsey Williams tried to pass similar legislation by creating an act that would have amended the Public School Code of 1949, which would have provided free lunches for students. The act never made it out of the Senate Education Committee, leaving many to wonder whether it will advance and become law.
