Yesterday members of the Orthodox Union’s Institute for Public Affairs staff joined the Maryland Non-Public Schools Legislative Coalition, of which the Orthodox Union is a founding member, for a Legislative Reception in Annapolis.

Community members and school leaders from both the Baltimore and Montgomery County area Orthodox communities as well as student ambassadors and concerned educators, parents and activists from non-public schools across Maryland met with legislators about key issues affecting Maryland’s non-public schools.

Elected officials also joined the advocates for a lunch reception that included a spirited talk by a student at a local non-public school and remarks by Rabbi Hershel Lutch, Executive Director of the Torah School of Greater Washington.

The community members and students specifically asked the legislators to:
•  Fully fund the $4 million allocated for the Textbooks/Technology Program
•  Include non-public schoolteachers in the Quality Teacher Incentive Tax Credit (SB 666)
•  Enact the BOAST Maryland Tax Credit (SB 265/HB 973) (Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers in Maryland), modeled on successful programs in other states that partner businesses and local schools and have infused millions in new educational investment. 

Howie Beigelman, OU Deputy Director of Public Policy and a member of the Coalition’s Steering Committee, stated after attending the Legislative Reception:

“Our legislators saw the breadth of our coalition and the commitment of those who drove through a winter storm to plead their case.  Maryland Non-Public Schools Legislative Coalition members sent a message to every legislator that each child deserves the best education provided for fairly and equitably in every neighborhood and community across the state.”