Catholic Church leaders across New York are blasting Albany for failing to agree on tax breaks that could boost enrollment at private and religious schools.
The new state budget includes tax credits for buying large yachts and private planes. But once again there is no "education investment tax credit" to help send children to schools of their parent's choice.
"We need the tax credit monies to bring more children into the schools whose parents right now just can't afford to do that," said Bishop Richard Malone of the Buffalo Catholic Diocese.
According to Malone, more than 30 states offer parents some kind of publicly funded tuition assistance. Malone says it would help improve enrollment and strengthen Catholic schools in Buffalo and across the state.
"I believe that the governor meant it, last year and again this year, when he said, that 'this really is a matter of justice," Malone said.
The tax credit, however, didn't survive the political machinery in Albany.
"Cardinal Dolan and all the New York bishops are united. We intend to work toward getting this some how or other approved by the end of the legislative session."
In a written statement, Cardinal Dolan said, elected officials should not continue allowing “public school teachers unions" to dictate the state's education policy.