Urgent Action Needed

May 8, 2001

The United States Congress in currently working on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) - the central vehicle for federal funding directed toward education. At this stage, the measure is being considered by the full Senate - on the floor, and by the House Committee on Education.

Two issues of direct concern and interest to our community are under consideration. The first is school vouchers; provisions for vouchers have been already removed from the House bill (HR1) by a committee vote. They will be offered again when the bill comes to the House floor in a few weeks. In the Senate, a voucher proposal will be offered as an amendment on the floor by Senator Judd Gregg next week. The outcome of the vote on this amendment is uncertain at this time.

The second issue is with regard to education tax credits. Several House members (including Reps Hoekstra and Cantor) introduced HR 1681 just last week. This measure will provide for a tax credit equal to 75% of a person's contributions to school tuition funds, school construction funds and school technology acquisition funds (up to $1,000 per couple and $100,000 for corporations). By generating millions of dollars in private contributions to these funds, HR 1681 will empower parents and improve the quality of all schools. The sponsors of this bill are seeking bipartisan support for it at this time.

We urge you to contact your Senators and Representatives in the next few days to express your views on these critical issues. Even if your senator has not supported vouchers in the past, it is worthwhile to make your views known at this time.

Even if your Representative has not supported school vouchers, inform them that HR 1681 is an opportunity to demonstrate their support for parochial schools by encouraging increased private giving.

For more information about these, and other education related initiatives, visit our public policy library at http://www.ou.org/public/Publib/ Also, please let us at the IPA know of any contact you have with your members on this topic by e-mailing us at ipadc@ou.org.

Richard Stone
Chairman

Nathan Diament
Director