For Immediate Release Contact:
May 9, 2014 Roslyn Singer, 212-613-8227
Espousing their commitment to education, but differing widely on their responses about the educational tax credit programs and funding formulas for education, Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial candidates replied candidly to OU Advocacy-PA’s questions about their visions for the Commonwealth. These responses are now available as OU Advocacy-PA’s Gubernatorial Voter Guide, which can be accessed on the web site, OUadvocacy.org/pa.
The voter guide also includes a brief bio of the four leading candidates in the race—Gov. Tom Corbett, Rob McCord, Rep. Allyson Schwartz and Tom Wolf. Additional questions cover the candidates’ plans for ensuring school safety, creating jobs and stimulating Pennsylvania’s economy, returning to a part-time legislature, and their highest priorities as governor.
The gubernatorial primary election takes place on Tuesday, May 20th.
“Our goal for the voter guide—as with all our programs—is to educate Jewish Pennsylvanians about the candidates running for governor and their positions on issues important to our community,” said Michelle Twersky, Associate Regional Director for OU Advocacy-PA.
“We invite everyone to read and download the voter guide and use it to inform their opinions about the candidates prior to the primary,” said Karen Barall, OU Advocacy’s Mid-Atlantic Director. “The Educational Improvement Tax Credit program and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit program are significant funding sources for Jewish day schools and it is crucial that the day school community familiarize itself with the candidates’ positions on these programs as well as other education-related issues.”
Katie McGinty, the fourth Democratic candidate for governor, also was approached for the voter guide, but did not respond to OU Advocacy’s questions.
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The Orthodox Union is the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization; the OU Advocacy Center, formerly the Institute for Public Affairs, is the non-partisan public policy arm of the OU and leads its advocacy efforts in Washington, DC and state capitals. OU Advocacy is committed to educating the Jewish community about candidates and their positions. The OU is a not-for-profit and does not endorse any candidate.