OU Advocacy-Teach NYS, the nonpartisan public policy arm of the Orthodox Union, together with the UJA-Federation of New York, is launching a 30-day campaign to push – between now and the end of the New York State Legislative Session – for state legislators to pass the Education Tax Credit bill. Governor Andrew Cuomo reintroduced this legislation last week as the Parental Choice in Education Act.
The campaign will include lobbying efforts in Albany, community advocacy, and social media outreach. Over the course of the next 30 days, representatives of both OU Advocacy-Teach NYS and UJA-Federation will be in Albany every day, meeting with Assembly Members and State Senators to discuss the important impact the bill will have on New York’s Jewish day schools and yeshivas.
The two organizations are also urging Jewish day school and yeshiva parents and lay leaders to get involved and make their voices heard to state legislators. Individuals can contact Governor Cuomo, their Assembly Member and their State Senator through an action alert and urge them to pass the Education Tax Credit bill. In addition, the organizations are hosting visits by state legislators to Jewish day schools and yeshivas in their districts, where they will meet with parents and school leaders to talk about the importance of Jewish education, tuition affordability, and the passage of the legislation. A social media campaign will reinforce these efforts and encourage people to share information about the Education Tax Credit bill to their networks.
The legislation has the potential to significantly assist New York’s families with tuition costs. It will provide tax credits to low-income families who send their children to non-public schools and create an education tax credit to incentivize contributions to non-public school scholarship organizations.
“It is crucial that every parent take it upon him/herself to get involved in this campaign and encourage their friends and colleagues to get involved as well. While we are meeting with state legislators every day between now and the end of session about the Education Tax Credit bill, legislators must hear from members of the Jewish community about how important the Education Tax Credit bill is to them,” said Maury Litwack, Director of State Political Affairs for the Orthodox Union.
“State legislators have told us time and time again how important it is for them to hear from their constituents. We urge every member of the community to contact their legislators and ask them to support the Education Tax Credit bill,” said Jeff Leb, Managing Director for Government and External Relations at UJA-Federation of New York.