This past week, we celebrated Catholic Schools Week, not only in our own diocese but in Sees across the country.
The nation is indebted to Catholic schools, not only because of the talent they have contributed to society, but also because of the costs they have saved the government that would have had to educate all those students in public schools.
Yet, very little thanks is paid to Catholic schools. Government red tape and spiraling costs only make it more difficult for them to survive.
Parents struggle to send their children to Catholic schools and they deserve some recognition and some financial consideration. A tax credit for tuition would be reasonable and well received. But don’t hold your breath.
Right now, Albany once again will debate the wisdom of a tax credit for those who make donations to Catholic as well public school scholarship funds. It alone will not save Catholic Schools but it would be a step in the right direction. Amazingly, public school teacher unions and political pettiness have killed the bill year after year.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has included it in this year’s proposed budget. We can only hope that he will put his considerable influence behind it as we seek a better education for all students in the state.
We can and must do a lot more than hope. Every one of us can call his/her Assemblymember at 518-455-4100 and ask him/her to co-sponsor the Educational Investment Incentives Act, bill number A2551. If you don’t know your Assemblymember’s name they will find it for you based on your address. The Assembly Speaker, Carl Heastie, says that he will not permit a vote on the bill until there are 76 Democrat members cosponsoring it. This is, of course, unfair and undemocratic, but, let’s take Heastie up on it. Call now! In addition, every Catholic school should picket any Assemblymember representing their students who is not a co-sponsor. The teachers unions are fighting hard to make their near monopoly complete. It is not amazing that they are winning. They are fighting harder than we are! It will take a major effort to win this battle but it’s one we must win for our children and ourselves as taxpayers.
Dennis J. Duffy, Bishop Loughlin, 1957, and Former Member, Lynbrook Public School Board, Long Island