ORTHODOX UNION DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED BY PRESIDENT’S
VETO OF EDUCATION REFORM LEGISLATION
July 22, 1998 -- Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations of America, through its Institute for Public Affairs, expressed its deep
disappointment over President Clinton’s veto yesterday of a bi-partisan education
reform bill.
The legislation included the creation of Education Savings Accounts, an initiative
spearheaded by Senators Paul Coverdell (R-GA) and Robert Torricelli (D-NJ).
Education Savings Accounts ("ESAs") would have permitted parents to set
aside up to 2000 dollars per child, per year upon
which the interest earned would be tax free. The funds could then be withdrawn to be
used for a wide array of education related expenses associated with a child’s
attendance at a public, private or parochial elementary or secondary school.
In addition to ESAs, the vetoed legislation that had been passed by both houses of
congress on a bi-partisan basis, contained funding for literacy initiatives, teacher
testing and merit pay incentives.
Nathan Diament, director of the Institute for Public Affairs, stated that "the
Orthodox Union and all those who are working to improve our nation’s education system
are deeply disappointed by the President’s veto. This bi-partisan legislation
would have been a small but meaningful effort to give parents greater resources to educate
their kids and prepare them for a brighter future.
The Orthodox Union commends Senators Coverdell and
Torricelli for their hard work in trying to deliver this assistance to America’s
families. We look forward to continuing to work with them in support of education
reform."
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