As support for an education tax credit bill grows in Albany, there is push back against the bill on the local level. The Ramapo Teachers Association has sent out word to rally Friday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. outside NY State Senator David Carlucci’s Nanuet offices.
The rally is in opposition to a bill currently making its way through the state legislature and backed by the Catholic church and other religious organizations. The controversial educational tax credit bill would encourage donations to private and public schools by subtracting the amount of money donated to a school from the taxpayers’ tax bill.
New York State United Teachers president Richard Iannuzzi said in Capital New York.com that the proposed tax credit would “siphon off hundreds of millions of dollars” from public schools by diverting tax revenue that would otherwise go toward funding public education.
The NY Assembly is currently considering its own version of the tax credit bill. Educational organizations believe the Senate bill is bad for public education, claiming that the bill would:
- make permanent the existing tax cap
- fund back-door vouchers to private schools by diverting funds from public education
- divert tax revenue that would otherwise be used to fund public education
- increase funding and aid to charter schools
New York City Cardinal Timothy has been out lobbying throughout the state in favor of the tax credit, meeting with legislators and NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The bill would greatly benefit religious schools, as well as private charter schools. Dolan countered that the bill would be a net positive for the public school system, saying that all school children would benefit from the infusion of charitable giving money.
“We like to say that these shrewd and wise people behind me, our legislators, have crafted this so that everybody benefits,” Dolan said in CapitalNewYork.com, adding that he drew a blank on why anybody would oppose the bill.
The Rally outside NY State Senator David Carlucci’s District Office at 95 Middletown Rd, Nanuet, takes place Friday, March 21, from 3-5 p.m.
