Leaders Gather to Urge Legislature to Pass Education Tax Credit

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At a press conference and rally in support of the Education Tax Credit Bill, Cardinal Dolan thanked New York City labor leaders, faith and business leaders who gathered with Catholic school students and parents to raise awareness of the legislation and urge its passage in the current legislative session.

Thanking those who were present at Cathedral High School in Manhattan March 10, the cardinal said they displayed “extraordinary unity” and represented a powerful witness of the ability of education to bring people together.

A broad coalition of more than 55 civic, community, labor, education and religious organizations supports the Education Tax Credit, organizers said.

“The time to pass this bill is now,” said Cardinal Dolan in a statement. “With the support of so many of our state’s great labor unions and business leaders, and so many of my brothers and sisters in ministry, I think we have a great chance to do so.”

Among the other religious leaders present were Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn and Rabbi Yehiel M. Kalish of Agudath Israel of America.

“Education is the future of our country, the future of our children,” Bishop DiMarzio said.

The Education Tax Credit would allow donors to invest in New York’s nonpublic and public schools. The proposed legislation would increase charitable donations from individuals and businesses for education by providing donors with a dollar-for-dollar credit against New York personal income, corporate franchise, bank and insurance taxes for donations to education-related entities.

The credit would encourage charitable donations to individual public schools, school districts and non-profit community-based organizations that operate pre-kindergarten programs, visual arts programs, music, tutoring and college and career readiness, or after-school instruction; encourage donations to non-profit organizations that provide scholarships for students to attend a non-public school or non-resident public school; and fund teacher-proposed projects and provide a $100 tax credit for teachers and other instructional personnel for the purchase of classroom supplies and materials.

The state Senate passed the Education Investment Tax Credit by a resounding vote of 55 to 4 two years ago. The Assembly bill is co-sponsored by two-thirds of the Assembly members, including a majority of Democrats.

James D. Cultrara, director for education for the New York State Catholic Conference, said, “While the Senate has twice approved the bill and a majority of Assembly members co-sponsor the bill, lawmakers are currently considering whether to incorporate the proposal as part of the state budget which is expected to be finalized by the end of March.”

The New York State Catholic Conference is the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops.

Dr. Timothy McNiff, superintendent of schools for the archdiocese, told CNY that the Catholic school system has “one of the greatest stories” to tell.

“Sixty-five percent of our city-enrolled students are at or below the poverty level, and 97 percent graduate. This bill will help children, especially those that come from disadvantaged backgrounds,” he said.

Selene Taveras, a senior who is the student body president at Cathedral High School, spoke on behalf of her fellow Catholic school students. “My private education has given me a broader focus,” she said. “My school puts more time and resources into things that make me not just a great student, but a well-rounded person.”

As Selene spoke, she was surrounded by students from St. Adalbert’s School in Queens and classmates from Cathedral. Members of Cathedral’s famed marching band also performed.

Selene said her Catholic school education has enriched her intellectually and also offered inspiration for the journey ahead. In the fall, she said, she plans to attend Johnson and Wales University to study culinary arts. “Every child deserves a chance to succeed,” she said.

New York Police Department and PBA President Patrick Lynch, who was present at the morning gathering, said, “This is a bill that helps everyone.”

Lynch said in a statement, “This legislation will help alleviate the burden of working families confronting the economic challenge of providing the best quality education they can for their children, many of whom will be our future police officers and other first-responders who serve and protect New Yorkers.”

“We stand with Cardinal Dolan, Bishop DiMarzio and other religious, community and labor leaders to urge Governor Cuomo and the Legislature to help working families and communities of need by including this tax credit in the new state budget,” he added.

Bob Flanigan, a member of the executive committee of the archdiocese’s Patrons Program, which finds alumni and friends to adopt inner-city Catholic schools, told CNY that “anyone who supports Catholic schools knows how good they are and how hard they work.”

“This bill calls forth support for all educational opportunities,” he said.