Philly Leader

Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) has announced that two of Pennsylvania's most successful programs to boost educational choice and opportunity for students will receive increased funding. The legislation, signed into law by the governor, aims to empower families to select educational options that align with their values and goals for their children's academic success.

The first program that will benefit from increased funding is the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. The funding for this program will increase by $130 million, bringing the total to $470 million. The EITC program provides tax credits for contributions from businesses to scholarship organizations, which are then used to support scholarships and other educational programming for Pennsylvania students.

The second program receiving additional funding is the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program. This program will receive a $20 million increase, bringing the total funding to $85 million. Similar to the EITC program, the OSTC program provides tax credits for contributions from businesses to scholarship organizations, with the aim of supporting scholarships and educational opportunities for students.

Rep. Martina White emphasized the importance of these programs in promoting healthy competition among schools and encouraging them to improve the quality of education. She stated, "By giving students scholarships to attend a private school of their choosing, we promote healthy competition among schools and encourage them to improve the quality of education to attract students."

The need for educational options and alternatives for students enrolled in underperforming schools is evident. Rep. White highlighted the fact that two out of three Pennsylvanians support alternatives for students in such schools. She stated, "We know the one-size-fits-all school system is leaving too many students behind. We know one year of learning loss can translate into thousands of dollars in lost lifetime earnings. We know we need education options for parents and students now."

The funding increases for the EITC and OSTC programs are part of House Bill 301, which also includes provisions for the distribution of funding to public libraries, career and technical schools, and more. This bill, along with Senate Bill 843, has been signed into law.

With these funding increases, Pennsylvania aims to provide more opportunities for students to access quality education and empower families to make choices that best suit their children's needs. The state recognizes the importance of investing in education and ensuring that every student has the chance to succeed.

For more information, please visit RepWhite.com or Facebook.com/RepMartinaWhite.

Media Contact:

David Foster

267.207.0207

dfoster@pahousegop.com

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.repwhite.com/News/33298/Latest-News/White-Announces-Funding-Increases-for-Educational-Scholarship-Programs