House Approves Christiana Bill to Increase Funding to EITC/OSTC Programs
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today approved legislation, authored by Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver), which aims to provide more Pennsylvania students and parents with options in pre-K-12 education with the expansion of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs.
“As we begin the all-too-familiar debate over education funding priorities in the state budget, it’s important we prioritize our investments in programs that have been effective in improving educational outcomes for our students,” Christiana said. “By expanding the EITC and OSTC programs, we are building upon past success, and creating new opportunities for more of our children.”
The EITC program allows businesses to partner with parents, public schools and other educational institutions to provide educational options to eligible students and families. The OSTC program, introduced by Christiana in 2012, was designed specifically to aid students and families residing within the attendance areas of the lowest-achieving 15 percent of public schools.
“Whether it’s to provide a tutoring program for public school students, rescue a child trapped in a failing school or to help pay tuition for a student to attend a private school, the EITC and OSTC programs benefit everyone,” Christiana said. “When a business invests money into local educational programs, those investments ensure the future of our local communities will be sustained.”
Christiana’s
House Bill 752 would increase the amount of available tax credits for the EITC program from $100 million to $170 million, and the amount of available tax credits for the OSTC program from $50 million to $80 million.
“This $100 million increase in education funding would be directed to programs that have received widespread bipartisan support in the past and allowed children to excel academically in alternative learning environments,” Christiana said.
House Bill 752 now awaits consideration by the Senate.
Representative Jim Christiana
15th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
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