Oct. 04, 2017
HARRISBURG – State Reps. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Jamie Santora (R-Delaware) are asking Gov. Tom Wolf to release letters of approval related to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. The letters, which were to be sent to participating businesses nearly two months ago, are being held up by the governor because he does not believe it would be prudent to send them out until there is a revenue package in place for the 2017-18 state budget.
“While the governor acted similarly two years ago, he is now choosing to ignore a requirement related to release of the EITC and OSTC letters that was placed in statute last year,” said Phillips-Hill. “Failing to allow release of these letters could potentially force businesses to reconsider participating in the EITC and OSTC programs next year. Doing so would penalize families who rely on additional tuition assistance when making educational choices for their children. “
EITC and OSTC provide tax credits to eligible businesses that in turn donate money for educational scholarships which benefit children of low-income families. The Public School Code was amended last year to require distribution of the letters by Aug. 15 or 30 days following receipt of a business’ completed application, whichever is later.
“Each child has unique learning needs, which the programs help to address by making nonpublic schools affordable,” Santora said. “Students rely on this funding, so we need the governor to expedite the issuance of these approval letters as soon as possible so as not to jeopardize our students’ opportunities.”
The legislators’ request was formally made in a letter, delivered to Wolf and signed by 77 of their colleagues.
Click here for the letter.
Representative James R. Santora
163rd Legislative District
RepSantora.com /
Facebook.com/RepSantora
Representative Kristin Phillips-Hill
93rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
RepKristin.com /
Facebook.com/RepKristin
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com