FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Howie Beigelman
212-613-8311
January 16, 2009

ORTHODOX UNION COMMENDS GOVERNOR PATERSON FOR RESTORING CAP MANDATE TO NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS; CONTINUES TO PRESS FOR RESTORING FULL FUNDING

Today the Orthodox Union (Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America), the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, expressed its gratitude to New York Governor David Paterson for restoring the CAP mandate to nonpublic schools in New York State.

The CAP mandate, which ensures our children are safe and in school, remains a critical source of funding to yeshivas and Jewish day schools as well as performing a vital safety function. The Orthodox Union, on its own, and in partnership with other organizations, including TEACH NYS, had advocated for the restoration and full funding ($55 million) of the program.

Howie Beigelman, Deputy Director of Public Policy stated:

“We thank Governor Paterson for recognizing the importance of CAP to our schools and our children. We hope that even in today’s fiscal environment this critical program will be fully funded at its modest cost of $55 million.”

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