(Bronx, NY) One morning earlier this month after another snowstorm pelted the city, cheering parents and students filled the wooden gymnasium at St. Athanasius School in the Longwood section of the Bronx. Joined by area politicians and community leaders, the parents, students and teachers rallied in support of the Education Investment Tax Credit which would increase support for public and religious schools by creating a tax incentive for individuals and corporations to donate to scholarship programs administered by nonprofit educational organizations.
The emcee for the rally was local Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, making his debut as the new political boss of the Bronx Democratic Party.
Dozens of cherubic and well-scrubbed students held aloft blue, yellow and white “Thank you, Governor Cuomo” signs. Governor Cuomo is a key ally because he inserted language creating the education investment tax credit into his 30-day budget amendments.
Supporters say that the tax credit will raise more charitable donations for after school programs, arts and scholarships.
Karen Porter-Magee
Karen Porter-Magee, “We need the education tax credit to ensure that our schools continue to deliver outstanding education.”
The Education Tax Credit would generate $900 million in its first three years for public education and scholarships. Supporters claim that the tax credit would also expand learning opportunities for poor children.
Among the supporters are His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, who has called on NYS Legislators to pass the education investment tax credit which has bi-partisan support in Albany. The tax credit plan has 77 Assembly sponsors, including 49 Democrats.
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