President Bush Praises EITC

President Bush spoke about the need to make a good education for every child a national priority. The President then highlighted Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program as a winning solution:

“I would call people’s attention to the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), which allows businesses to meet state tax obligations by supporting pre-K-through-12 scholarships for low-income students. It’s an innovative way to use the tax code to meet a national — in this case, state — objective. The scholarships then allow children to attend the school of their choice — including religious schools. Since 2001, these tax credits have yielded more than $300 million to help Pennsylvania families. It’s an innovative use of the tax code to meet social objectives. That’s positive.”

After the summit, Andrew T. LeFevre, executive director of the REACH Foundation, commented:

“To have the EITC program held up as a national model and applauded by the President is exciting. In Pennsylvania, we have seen first-hand the benefits of the EITC and the tens of thousands of families whose children are benefiting from the program. With this prestigious endorsement, the rest of the country will now know that this is a solution that truly works!”

For more information about the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)program, contact the REACH Foundation at 717.238.1878 or visit http://www.paschoolchoice.org/.