News for Advocates for Catholic Education in Pennsylvania
School Choice Rally on the Capitol Steps
On Tuesday, April 12, 2011, beginning around 12 pm, Students First and the entire nonpublic school community in Pennsylvania will be hosting a Senate Bill 1 Rally for all supporters of school choice on the Front Steps of the Capitol Building, Harrisburg.
We want to have a good showing of support for school choice among students, parents, teachers, administrators and all citizens from around the state. Transportation costs can be reimbursed, if needed. Contact me at smcaleer@pacatholic.org or 717-238-9613 for more details.
Other school choice hearings and events on school vouchers throughout Pennsylvania
Scranton:
On Thursday, March 31, 2011, beginning at 10 am, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee will host a hearing on Senate Bill 1: the Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act. The location of the hearing is Marywood University, Nazareth Hall, The Latour Room, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton.
Harrisburg:
On Thursday, April 7, 2011, beginning at 10 am, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee will host a hearing on Senate Bill 1: the Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act. The location of the hearing is room 418 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg
Chester:
On Wednesday, April 20, 2011,beginning at 10 am, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee will host a hearing on Senate Bill 1: the Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act. The location of the hearing is at the Chester Fine Arts Center East, 17 East 7th Street, Chester.
Reauthorization of the D.C. opportunity Scholarship Program
The full U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the reauthorization of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (DCOSP) sometime this week. As many of you know, this program has allowed low-income students living in the District of Columbia to attend private, including Catholic, schools. Funding for the program has been reduced during the last several years; no new students have been allowed to participate.
House Speaker John Boehner introduced H.R. 471 to reauthorize the program and increase the funding. On March 10, 2011, this bill was approved by a committee vote of 21-14. Now the full House is being asked to pass the legislation.
Please urge your school communities to understand the importance of passing H.R. 471 so that they convey to their Member of the House of Representatives that he or she should support H.R. 471. Go to http://capwiz.com/catholicbishops/home and scroll down to check out the Alert on D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. More details and a sample advocacy message to your Representative are available here. If you are on Facebook, join the USCCB page at www.facebook.com/usccb and click on “Take Action” on the left side of the page to learn more.
