by Ed Wilkinson

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio joined with Cardinal Timothy Dolan and major labor leaders to make a concerted push for passage of a law that would permit an Education Investment Tax Credit.

The bishop, Cardinal Dolan and business leaders representing more than 255,000 working men and women held a press conference March 10 at Cathedral H.S. in Manhattan to urge Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature to include the education tax credit in the upcoming state budget.

Speakers at the rally included NYPD PBA President Patrick J. Lynch; Rabbi Yehiel M. Kalish, vice president of Agudath Israel of America; Robert Catell, former CEO of Brooklyn Union and chairman of the Futures in Education Foundation; and Katia Saca, a single mother who has two daughters attending St. Adalbert’s School, Elmhurst.

Speakers pointed out that the current proposal would increase charitable donations to public schools and scholarships for low-income and working family students who want to attend parochial and other private schools.

“There’s something in it for everyone,” said Patrick Lynch, who added that a quality education will mold the future first responders of the city.

“If a child cannot access a quality education, whether it is in a public, religious or charter school, then he or she will not succeed in life,” said Bishop DiMarzio. “Good schools lift children out of poverty, and give them a chance. It is time to stop playing politics with the families of our state and time to pass this necessary bill. I am very grateful for the courage of so many of our union leaders for standing up for their members who have children in non-public schools.”

Catell, who is retired but remains active in community affairs, said he could think of “no other legislation more important to our young people. Education makes everything possible. It means everything is possible.”

Students were represented by Selene Taveras, a senior at Cathedral H.S., Manhattan. “Every student deserves the same chances that I have had,” said the senior who plans to attend Johnson and Wales College and pursue a career in the culinary arts.

Saca said she could not afford to send her children to a Catholic school if not for the scholarship assistance she receives.

“More scholarships will mean more children like mine will have the same opportunities to succeed,” she said.

The Education Investment Tax Credit is aimed at increasing donations to public schools, school districts and scholarships to low-income and middle-income students who attend religious and other tuition-based schools.

Backers of the bill expect that it would produce $300 million in donations per year. They also point out that New York State already offers tax credits for film and TV production, job creation, economic development and domestic beer brewing.

The bill also provides public school teachers with a first-time ever N.Y.S. income tax credit when they spend their own money on classroom supplies, up to $100.

No funds would be given directly to private or parochial schools.

Widespread Support

The bill is supported by more than 55 civic, community, labor, educational, faith and other organizations, including the New York State Catholic Conference, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, Futures in Education, N.Y.S. Association of PBAs, N.Y.C. Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, N.Y.S. Supreme Court Officers Association, Uniformed EMTs and 32BJ/SEIU, the nation’s largest property service workers union.

The legislation was introduced in the State Senate by Brooklyn State Sen. Martin Golden and in the Assembly by Assemblyman Michael Glick of Staten Island.

Cardinal Dolan called the proposal a “no-brainer” but said “we do not want to be sluggish and we do not want to take anything for granted.”

The cardinal and Bishop DiMarzio plan to further push for the legislation this coming week when they visit Albany, N.Y., as part of the Catholics at the Capitol public policy day.

The prelates have met privately with Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, who opposes the bill.

In attendance at the press conference were student delegations from Cathedral H.S., Manhattan; St. Adalbert’s School, Elmhurst; and Resurrection-Ascension, Rego Park.