Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, through its Institute for Public Affairs, expressed its deep disappointment over President Clinton’s veto yesterday of a bi-partisan education reform bill.

The legislation included the creation of Education Savings Accounts, an initiative spearheaded by Senators Paul Coverdell (R-GA) and Robert Torricelli (D-NJ). Education Savings Accounts [“ESAs”] would have permitted parents to set aside up to 2000 dollars per child, per year upon
which the interest earned would be tax free. The funds could then be withdrawn to be used for a wide array of education related expenses associated with a child’s attendance at a public, private or parochial elementary or secondary school.

In addition to ESAs, the vetoed legislation that had been passed by both houses of congress on a bi-partisan basis, contained funding for literacy initiatives, teacher testing and merit pay incentives.

Nathan Diament, director of the Institute for Public Affairs, stated that “the Orthodox Union and all those who are working to improve our nation’s education system are deeply disappointed by the President’s veto. This bi-partisan legislation would have been a small but meaningful effort to give parents greater resources to educate their kids and prepare them for a brighter future.

The Orthodox Union commends Senators Coverdell and
Torricelli for their hard work in trying to deliver this assistance to America’s families. We look forward to continuing to work with them in support of education reform.”