In 2008-2009, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program was a $75 million program – helping over 44,000 students attend the school of their choice and countless more through innovative programming.

News for Advocates of Catholic Education in Pennsylvania – February 22, 2010 NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE 2010-2011 EDUCATION BUDGET This month, all the talk in Harrisburg is about Governor Rendell’s proposed 2010-2011 state budget. Here are the dollars proposed for education:

On Friday evening, October 9, 2009, Governor Ed Rendell signed a $27.8 billion budget that was 101 days overdue.  The plan spends $500 million less than last year and does not include any broad-based tax increases. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) has been following the budg

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

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

Representing Pennsylvania’s Catholic hospitals and health systems, the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA) joined the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and others at a press conference today.   The concerned organizations presented a petit

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

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