Earlier this year, the state house approved the 2014-15 state budget and fiscal code.

The spending plan includes $10.5 billion in K-12 education spending, representing the highest total in our state's history.The figure includes funding increases for each school district in Carbon County, adding up to more than $2.1 million in additional funding compared to last year.In addition, the budget calls for an increase of $20 million for special education, which is the first increase in six years.An increase of $100 million will go toward block grants, allowing school districts the flexibility to direct spending where they need it most.I am especially proud that this budget preserves funding for some important programs making a difference for kids in Carbon County.One of those programs is the SHINE program, which stands for Schools and Homes in Education. SHINE is a wonderful after-school program which was developed by the Lehigh Carbon Community College to increase education achievement and to help students have a positive impact on the communities in which they live.SHINE includes programs for students of all grades, beginning with kindergarten. Activities and projects range from extra help with letter and number recognition along with reading, writing and mathematics help at the kindergarten level; to work at the high-tech labs of the Carbon Career and Technology Institute for students in the sixth- through ninth-grade program.I have met with students in this program on multiple occasions, including at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, and I came away very impressed.The SHINE program started in 2005 with just three school districts in Carbon County. It has expanded rapidly since then, tripling the number of students it serves in seven public schools across its coverage area, along with one technical school and four parochial schools. Students are served by SHINE across an area of 700 square miles.Research shows that students who participate in the SHINE program increase their academic achievement, improve attendance and have parents who are more engaged in their success.SHINE in Carbon and Schuylkill counties has become a model for other counties to follow in the area of after-school education.I am proud of their success and of our commonwealth's support of such a great program. I will continue to work, not only in Harrisburg but also in Carbon County, to support increased education funding and proven and beneficial programs such as SHINE.Rep. Doyle Heffley