Piccola's Proposal Protecting Scholarship Organizations Approved 

 

Senate Majority Whip Jeff Piccola (R-15) applauded the General Assembly today for passing legislation that protects scholarship and education improvement organizations from the Rendell Administration’s unreasonable reporting requirements.  The language is identical to Senate Bill 507, which was introduced by Piccola and passed the Senate by a vote of 46-1 in April.  Piccola’s language sets forth specific reporting guidelines for these organizations to be eligible to participate in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC).

 

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) proposed a new menu of reporting requirements for these organizations, exceeding their authority under the law.  At that time, Piccola introduced Senate Bill 507 to protect scholarship organizations from intrusive and unnecessary regulations.

 

“I am pleased that my colleagues supported this change in the EITC program.  This will provide specific authority for data collection and end the current controversy over what the department may or may not be authorized to collect,” said Piccola.  “I am particularly grateful to Senator Jim Rhoades, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, for his hard work and leadership on this issue.”  Rhoades chaired hearings on the issue where he expressed support for Piccola’s bill.

 

Piccola called DCED’s initial request to require scholarship organizations to submit a new end-of-year report on their activities unfair and burdensome.  “To require these organizations to report information that they have not previously collected from scholarship recipients is unwarranted.  It’s difficult for me to understand why information on a scholarship recipient’s previous school enrollment is necessary to implement this program,” he said.

 

“My proposal is designed to protect the integrity of the EITC program -- a program that has been successful in helping children and families in Pennsylvania attend the school of their choice.  It’s important that we clarified what types of information the department is empowered to collect and end any uncertainty about the extent of the secretary’s authority.  I laud the Senate’s consideration and passage of these reporting requirements so that the process I’ve proposed can finally get underway,” said Piccola.

 

“I am also deeply gratified that we are increasing the EITC program by $4 million.  This is one of the best education programs enacted in recent years.  Although I had hoped for a greater increase, I am committed to working for that in the future,” Piccola added.

 

 

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