Catholic Education

Summer is coming to a close, but the Pennsylvania General Assembly still has unfinished business. Although constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget by June 30, lawmakers in Harrisburg are still deliberating over what programs to fund and how to pay for them.As a stop-gap me

Over the past eight years, Pennsylvania’s innovative Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program has provided an educational lifeboat to tens of thousands of students all across the Commonwealth. Strong bi-partisan support by the Pennsylvania Legislature has enabled the EI

Caritas in Veritate, Charity in Truth, is the recent encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI. It addresses the global economic crisis by discussing the moral aspects of economics, poverty, human rights and environmental responsibility.An encyclical is a letter from the Pope that serves as a

The week of July 27, 2009, was filled with anticipation, hopefulness and skepticism over the new Budget Conference Committee that was created to end the budget stalemate, according to the Capitol Recap report from Pennsylvania Legislative Services. After four fruitless meetings Monday

According to a Capitol Recap report from Pennsylvania Legislative Services, by Sunday evening (July 26, 2009), the Capitol was empty and, according to those familiar with the conversations, there was a feeling nothing more could be achieved before Senate Republican leaders meet with t

For most Pennsylvanians, this time of year means leisurely vacations, picnics and displays of fireworks.  For some in Harrisburg, unfortunately, June and July can mean long hours, anxiety and a different kind of fireworks – the political debate about the state budget. The downtu

As students prepare to begin college classes next month, it is an opportune time to revisit the Pennsylvania bishops’ letter to Catholic students, Your Catholic Faith on Campus. In the letter, the bishops encourage students to “use this opportunity not simply for specializ

Pennsylvania will receive millions of dollars through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Under the governor’s proposed budget, some of these Stimulus dollars will be used to support a proposed 5.7% increase in the public school state subsidy. State government le

PCC Executive Director, Dr. Robert J. O’Hara, sent the following letter to legislative leaders in the state House and Senate on June 29, 2009: The parents of Catholic school students understand that tough economic times require all of us to make the most of limited resources. We