In the beginning of April, I wrote a column in the New York Post, of my disappointment of the Education Investment Tax Credit not being included in the state budget. My thanks to Michael Goodwin for his column on the tax credit in this Sunday’s New York Post.
Here is an excerpt:
A prime example is the mystery of how a popular plan for an education tax credit failed. It would have reduced taxes for donors who give money to nonprofit educational funds.
Supporters ranged from Cardinal Dolan and other Catholic leaders to Orthodox rabbis and other Jewish groups. They joined forces over the high cost of parochial education, a cost that penalizes families who pay taxes for public schools and also private tuition for their children.
The double cost is a killer, with as many as 200 Catholic schools closing across the state in the last 15 years because parents cannot afford tuition.
Anticipating opposition from unions, the plan also would cover contributions to public schools.
The well-crafted idea, already succeeding in other states, enjoyed the support of Gov. Cuomo and, publicly at least, a majority of both parties in both houses. And then it died in the back room, leading Dolan, among others, to feel betrayed.
You can read the full article here.