Cardinal reacts on Education Tax Credit

The New York State Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state's bishops, noted last week that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders had announced the framework of an agreement on end-of-year items.

Unfortunately, the Education Investment Tax Credit was not part of the final deal, but lawmakers agreed to a cash infusion of $250 million in additional mandated services aid for religious and independent schools.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the New York Archdiocese issued a statement: "I am heartened by the promising news out of Albany, that the Governor and the leadership of the State Senate and the State Assembly have reached an agreement that will enable the payment of $250 million in unreimbursed mandated services to Catholic and other religious and non-public schools around New York State.

"This money, which has been owed for several years, is sorely needed by our schools, many of whom have been struggling to remain open.

"We Catholic leaders were part of a broad coalition of religious leaders, business executives, labor officials, parents, and many others, all of whom fought long and hard on behalf of the Education Investment Tax Credit, a bill that would have helped all of our children, in public, religious, charter and private schools.

"We are disappointed that, once again, we have come up short, but we will redouble our efforts next year to make this common-sense bill become law. We remain ever more committed to the principle of parental choice in education.

"However, on behalf of Catholics throughout New York, and especially the parents who send their children to our schools, let me express appreciation to Gov. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Heastie for recognizing the needs of our schools, and [for] the action they have taken today.

"Catholic schools, for generations, have been a lifeline for low-income families. Our schools have helped countless children, many of them new to our shores, reach their full potential and rise out of poverty. We are committed to maintaining a strong Catholic school system, and continue to urge lawmakers to finally do their part in helping these parents exercise their right to educational choice for their children."

(Learn more at www.nyscatholic.org.)[[In-content Ad]]