The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) has distributed millions of dollars in scholarship aid to Jewish students across Pennsylvania. The program was reduced from $75 million to $60 million last year, with a stipulation of even deeper cuts in the future.

As the Pennsylvania legislature finalizes the 2010-2011 budget, the EITC tax credit program in now in jeopardy of being reduced to $50 million.

A reduction of the EITC Tax Credit will adversely affect our Orthodox Jewish Day Schools in Pennsylvania, whose parents rely on the program to help defray the cost of their child’s Jewish education.

At the same time as education tax credits are targeted for budget cuts, Governor Rendell is pushing to increase basic education funding by $354 million

If there is an increase in education funding during these trying economic times, a portion of that increase, must be allocated towards the EITC program to help restore funding for this successful program.

House Speaker Keith McCall and Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola have each sponsored new legislation that aims to restore the EITC program its $75 million level. Speaker McCall and Senator Piccola have each introduced cosponsorship memos in the House and Senate respectively.

In 2008-2009 School Year alone:
• 44,000 Scholarships were contributed to the EITC program for grades K-12
• 6,000 Scholarships were contributed to the EITC program for Pre-K programs

We simply cannot afford any reduction to the EITC program.

Take action now by calling your State Senator and Representative. Urge them to sign onto these bills as cosponsors and express to them the importance of the EITC program in our communities and the need for the reinstatement of sufficient funding level of the EITC program in Pennsylvania.

Find your state legislator here by using the “Find Members By” feature.

##