Posted June 14, 2019

Archbishop Charles Chaput is asking Catholics to contact Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and ask that he sign legislation expanding the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit.

The EITC allows businesses to write off a significant portion of their state taxes in exchange for donations to scholarship organizations, which in turn help qualifying students attend the schools of their choice – including Catholic schools.

The state House of Representatives and Senate recently passed House Bill 800, which calls for a $100 million increase in the EITC to $210 million annually, up from the current $110 million.

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Archbishop Chaput urged support for the bill in April as it began its way through the General Assembly.

“If passed into law, HB 800 will dramatically increase EITC funding, establish an automatic annual escalator for such funding, and greatly expand the number of families and students eligible for the program,” the archbishop wrote in his April 10 column “Why House Bill 800 matters” on CatholicPhilly.com. “HB 800 is not simply a ‘good idea;’ it’s a huge service to the young people and families of our state. It deserves the support of the Catholic community here in Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth.”

As the bill awaits consideration by Gov. Wolf, Archbishop Chaput urged people to contact the governor this week to express support for the bill and to let him know the EITC program benefits the children and families of Pennsylvania.

The governor’s office may be contacted in several ways, here.