The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference applauded Tuesday’s state Senate passage of House Bill 800, which calls for a $100 million increase (from $110 million to $210 million per year) in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit.
The measure passed the House last month and now goes to Gov. Tom Wolf for consideration. He is likely to veto it.
The bill also raises the annual income limit from $85,000 to $95,000.
EITC allows businesses to take a write-off on their state taxes in exchange for donations to scholarship organizations. Needy students have used EITC funding to attend schools of their choice.
“This program has been so important for countless students and schools across Pennsylvania and across the country,” said Eric Failing, executive director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. “We want to thank bill sponsor, Speaker Mike Turzai, and all legislators who supported this legislation. We ask Gov. Wolf to sign it into law so more families can take advantage of Pennsylvania’s nationally recognized EITC program.
The bill passed, 28-21, with embattled Sen. Daylin Leach not voting. Sens. Tina Tartaglione and John Sabatina voted against the bill.
Some Democrats argued that families making $95,000 a year should not be eligible and that the expansion is too costly. ••
