Religious leaders pressing Spitzer on tuition pledge

Christian and Jewish leaders in New York State co-signed an open letter this week to Gov. Eliot Spitzer, calling on him to ensure that tuition tax deductions are included in the new state budget, currently in its final stages of negotiation.

The signatories included the bishops of every Catholic diocese in the state, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of the Albany Diocese among them.

"As leaders of communities of faith representing, collectively, millions of New Yorkers in cities, villages and towns in every corner of our great state," the religious leaders began, "we write with one simple message today. We pray that you see to it that the tuition tax deduction you proposed is, in fact, included in the final state budget."

Promise

The signers noted that Gov. Spitzer, who was elected last November, "campaigned on the promise to change the culture of Albany and to ensure that the focus of government is on people rather than special interests and entrenched powers.

"We are shocked that anyone could, or would, oppose this modest program aimed at providing real, tangible relief to struggling families. All New Yorkers should rally around this. That the public school teachers' lobbyists and the legislators beholden to them are working to derail this program forces us to act -- and to speak up."

The religious leaders were referring, in part, to radio ads by the New York State United Teachers, calling on the Governor not to support deductions for religious schools.

Help for families

In the letter, the bishops, ministers and rabbis said they hear "of families that struggle to make ends meet" and "know that average New Yorkers will truly benefit from this proposal.

"We urge you to stand firmly with the families of New York State. Passage of this program will help open up educational opportunities for New Yorkers in need."

The signers concluded by saying that "the Easter and Passover holidays remind us of our callings, to speak truth to power and to take up the prophetic call to help the needy and speak for those who have no voice. We pray you have needed no convincing. We trust you will stand with us and the families of a half-million school children."

(The signers included Cardinal Edward Egan of New York City and the Catholic bishops who lead the other seven dioceses in the state; five rabbis, including the executive vice president of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations in America; and five Protestant ministers, including the president of the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church/Missouri Synod.)

(3/29/07) [[In-content Ad]]