Currently, there are more than 160,000 children in Pennsylvania’s diocesan Catholic schools. The PCC Education Department represents the Church on behalf of students in Catholic schools and in public schools regarding issues of justice and morality. Here are a few of the issues the department will advocate during the 2009-2010 legislative session, in no particular order:

• Monitor and promote passage of a state budget that includes existing programs for nonpublic schools (transportation, technology, textbooks, etc., and auxiliary services) and appropriate increases.
• Monitor legislation regarding funding for pre-school education and support efforts to include nonpublic school students in such funding.
• Support and promote increase in funding for Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC).
• Support and promote religious childcare legislation.
• Monitor legislation that would be harmful to Catholic schools and Catholic school students.
• Oppose legislation that would grant oversight of employee relations in Catholic schools to the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.
• Support and promote school voucher legislation.
• Support and promote special education funding legislation.
• Oppose any legislation that blurs the distinction between for-profit and non-profit religious childcare facilities under the Public Welfare Code.
• Monitor and oppose any legislation or executive branch actions that would unfairly or excessively regulate Catholic preschools and childcare centers.
• Assist the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in developing and promoting federal tax credit legislation for individuals and businesses to promote parental choice in education.
• Monitor and oppose legislative or organizational activity harmful to Catholic Schools regarding the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

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