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Donna Cooper serves as Secretary of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Planning. The Office of Policy and Planning coordinates program planning and policy development among the executive branch agencies and works closely with the Governor's Budget, Legislative and Washington offices to ensure that federal and state policy options are thoroughly examined for their fiscal, legislative and programmatic consequences.
Donna Cooper most recently served as the Executive Director of Good Schools Pennsylvania, a public education advocacy organization. Cooper served as Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning in the Rendell administration, advising the then-Mayor on all aspects of city policy.
As part of the Governor's executive staff, Cooper has worked to move Governor Rendell's agenda and his Plan for a New Pennsylvania forward.
Highlights of the Plan include:
Economic Stimulus Program: This plan provided $2.3 billion to draw an additional $5 billion from the private sector to help stimulate economic growth and revitalize mid-sized and smaller cities throughout Pennsylvania.
Expanded Gaming and Property Tax Relief: This savings plan is expected to cut school property taxes by an average of 23 percent for Pennsylvania homeowners or roughly $330 by fiscal year 2007. In Philadelphia, gaming funds will be used to reduce the city's wage tax. Expanding gaming will ensure the long-term viability of the horseracing industry and create about 35,000 jobs.
Increased Funding for Education: Pennsylvania schools received $270 million for successful and research-proven programs such as pre- kindergarten, full-day kindergarten, smaller class sizes for grades K-3 and other proven programs such as tutoring and English as a Second Language. In addition, $15 million went to Head Start where students will begin their learning experiences. Today, more than 75,000 students across the state are helped by these programs.
Expanded Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors: Thanks to the expansion of the Pharmaceutical Contract for the Elderly (PACE), more than 60,000 additional seniors have been able to qualify for affordable access to prescription drugs. More than 315,000 seniors will be served by year's end. | 