Statement on Education Investment Tax Credit

June 20, 2014
NYS Catholic Conference Statement regarding state’s failure to pass the Education Investment Tax Credit
June 20, 2014
Following is a statement from Richard E. Barnes, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference:
“Along with Catholic school families across the state, we are deeply disappointed and angry at the failure to pass an Education Investment Tax Credit, which would have generated needed scholarships to help families afford parochial schools, yeshivas and other non-public schools, as well as benefitted public schools and all teachers.”
“We have consistently heard from Gov. Cuomo and a majority of legislators in both houses that they supported the bill, that it was a ‘no brainer,’ and that it was of critical importance to the families of our state. Dozens of labor unions and other organizations signed on in support, many of them appearing with Cardinal Dolan and the New York State Bishops at news conferences in New York City and Albany
.
“But, in the end, the will to fight for passage, to stand up to the public school teachers’ unions, was not there. The Bishops of New York State will continue to discuss this failure of leadership throughout the coming months, informing Catholic school families about this missed opportunity and the failure of our leaders to stand up for them, who save the state billions of dollars a year by sacrificing to provide their children with a quality Catholic education.”
The Catholic Conference represents New York State’s Bishops in matters of public policy.