FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Howie Beigelman
212-613-8311
March 5, 2009

ORTHODOX UNION ADVOCATES FOR AID TO JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS
Joins interfaith coalition in Annapolis pressing for passage of BOAST education tax credit

Yesterday, the Orthodox Union (Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America), the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, through its Institute for Public Affairs, joined a diverse group of community and school leaders, students and others to advocate passage of the BOAST education tax credit.

BOAST, modeled on similar programs enacted in Arizona, Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and similar to legislation pending in California, Connecticut and New Jersey, would allow for corporations that donate to public and nonpublic schools a dollar for dollar tax credit on their Maryland state tax. In light of Maryland’s precarious financial and budget situation, BOAST would not be funded this fiscal year.

The advocacy day was attended by Jewish, Catholic, Muslim and other leaders and students. Advocates met with dozens of legislative offices to press the issue. Meetings between Jewish leaders, including the OU, and Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch were arranged by our coalition partner, Agudath Israel’s Rabbi Ariel Sadwin.

Howie Beigelman, OU Deputy Director of Public Policy stated:

Today, Senators and Delegates heard from real students and parents across Maryland about how they can help families and schools statewide. It’s a quadruple win for public and non-public schools, businesses and taxpayers. Tax credits for education have helped Jewish day schools in every state in which they exist, and the OU urges BOAST’s quick passage.

Rabbi Saul Zucker, Director of the OU’s Department of Day School & Educational Services stated:

Non-public schools across Maryland save the state billions of dollars and thousands of classrooms. Helping them and their families in these tough economic times while helping public schools as well is the right thing to do.

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