Nov. 24, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) today attended a press conference with more than 20 of his colleagues to plead with Gov. Tom Wolf to resume the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. The program funds education for Commonwealth youth.
“We are asking the governor to exercise the authority given to him so that the money can be distributed to the children and the schools themselves,” Quigley said. “Many public schools, which are already suffering as a result of the budget impasse, in addition to parochial and trade schools desperately need this money.”
The program directs more than $150 million annually to schools in Pennsylvania as a result of contributions businesses make. When the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) releases the contribution letters, businesses are able to write checks for the education of Commonwealth children.
The EITC money is used as scholarships for underprivileged children; it also provides an escape for children who are stuck in failing schools.
Gov. Tom Wolf has not authorized DCED to release the EITC letters to businesses, putting schools in grave financial straits. If schools do not receive the money by Dec. 31, the businesses will be ineligible to dedicate money to the 2015 program and $150 million would be lost.
Many groups also attended the press conference in support, including ACS Children’s Tuition Fund, Allied Wire and Cable, Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools, CB Cares Educational Foundation, Children’s Scholarship Fund, Keystone Christian Education Association, the Neighborhood Academy and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
“This money gives children in all parts of the state, in both public and non-public schools, an opportunity to receive an education that better suits their needs,” Quigley added. “Schools and children will see real effects of this lack of funding as soon as January when schools begin to close. We need the governor to release the letters to avoid that terrible situation.”
Representative Tom Quigley
146th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
RepTomQuigley.com /
Facebook.com/RepTomQuigley