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Tax credit plan just vouchers in disguise The Trojan Horse in Pataki's plan Feb. 2, 2006 Bundled up and introduced as an "education tax credit," a controversial proposal in Gov. Pataki's budget is little more than a gussied-up voucher program, union officials agree. "It's a $400 million Trojan horse," said New York State United Teachers President Dick Iannuzzi. "The governor's backdoor voucher plan is just a gimmick to make himself look good to conservatives in other states," NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin charged. Pataki, who has announced that he will not seek re-election in the fall, is said to be considering a run for the White House in 2008. Under the Pataki plan, parents who earn less than $90,000 and live in a district with at least one "underperforming school" would receive a tax credit of up to $500 per child. "Primary and secondary school tuition" is among the education expenses the governor said could be covered by the income tax credit, in addition to tutoring and after-school programs that are already funded under the No Child Left Behind Act. The governor's proposed education budget includes only $634 million in new funds. Projections by NYSUT and research by the state Educational Conference Board show districts will have a lot of ground to cover if state aid is not increased (see main budget article, pages 3 and 4). " New York City and other big-city districts, as well as many rural ones, need an even greater state investment" — like the one the state's highest court ordered in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case, Iannuzzi said. "Yet, this governor continues to turn his back on children in these underfunded districts who deserve the same educational opportunities as children in more affluent schools." Both the New York State School Boards Association and the state Council of School Superintendents have voiced concerns about the tax-credit proposal. Well-funded coalition However, the plan is receiving major support by proponents of charter schools and vouchers for private schools, plus a well-funded coalition of Jewish, Roman Catholic and independent private schools calling itself Teach NYS. The coalition is pushing for an even larger tax credit/voucher program that would extend to all parents statewide. The coalition paid for a series of large ads favoring education tax credits that appeared in newspapers before the governor's plan was announced and immediately after the budget was released Jan. 17. The group is planning a rally later this month. Education tax credits may sound like a good idea and a benefit to parents, Iannuzzi said, "but the reality is they will drain money that could be better spent on public education." — Clarisse Butler Banks |
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