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Displeased about the omission of the Education Tax Credit from the New York state budget, Cardinal Dolan is imploring political leaders in Albany to “please pass this legislation once and for all before the close of the legislative session.”
The cardinal, on behalf of the New York State Catholic Conference, of which he serves as president, issued a strongly worded statement March 30 against a three-way agreement on the state budget by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly. Advocates of the Education Tax Credit consider it a critically needed piece of legislation for the parents and students of Catholic and other nonpublic education in the state.
“Last week, I made the comment that there would be plenty of blame to go around if the Education Tax Credit didn’t get done in the state budget,” Cardinal Dolan said in his statement. “And now, sadly, this has played out yet again.
“My brother bishops and I are sorely disappointed in all of our political leaders in Albany, who again assured us of their strong personal support, but again could not deliver for the children of our state.”
“Yet,” continued the cardinal, “we have no alternative but to turn to them again” in an attempt to resolve the matter before the end of the current legislative session.
The Education Tax Credit encourages increased charitable giving to public schools and foundations that provide scholarships to help children in need escape failing public schools, the cardinal explained. “This is why the legislation is supported by so many in our minority communities, where the financial need is the greatest and the disparity in educational outcomes between public and Catholic schools are so great.”
Parents in such communities, the cardinal continued, “are desperate” for a better future for their children, a future, he says, that “our schools” can provide. “Why their representatives are insensitive to them is a mystery.”
Cardinal Dolan has been persistent in his advocacy for the Education Tax Credit. Last month he led a rally in East Harlem that included Catholic school children and numerous community and civic leaders.
“We have a difficult time understanding how in the world this has proven to be such difficult legislation to pass,” the cardinal said in his statement. “We have a Governor who has called it a ‘matter of justice’ and included it in his executive budget. We have a Senate that passed it overwhelmingly by a vote of 44-16 earlier this year. And we have an Assembly with a solid majority of Democrats and Republicans who have said they support it.”
Additionally, he said, the Education Tax Credit has the support of more than 150 community, business, education, faith and labor organizations. “Yet, somehow, it ended up pulled from the budget agreement, while the public schools again get a new boost to their gargantuan budget.
“So, while we have many supporters we can and do thank, there is also plenty of blame to go around,” the cardinal said. “Our elected officials must cease allowing public school teachers unions intent on creating a government school monopoly to continue dictating education policy in our state.
“We turn again to our leaders to do the right thing, and pass the Education Tax Credit— not for any interest group—but for the children of our state,” concluded the cardinal.
“Every year that goes by is more lost opportunity for untold numbers of children. Their futures will not wait. Who will put their needs first?” The Catholic Conference represents New York State’s Bishops in matters of public policy.
