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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20170&cosponId=26069
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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 20, 2018 08:32 AM
From: Representative Kristin Hill
To: All House members
Subject: EITC Escalator
 
Pennsylvania Tax Credit Scholarship programs were once recognized as a national model. The scholarships have helped thousands of students choose a school that best fits their needs. But since 2011, Florida and several other states programs have grown exponentially while Pennsylvania’s program has grown at a smaller rate and not kept up with demand. Florida and these other states’ success has been created through the addition of Automatic Escalator provisions to their programs.

In 2011, over 40,000 tax credit scholarships were awarded to Pennsylvania’s schoolchildren, more than any other state in the nation. Compare that with Florida at the time, who awarded 34,550 scholarships. In 2018, Florida awarded nearly 107,000 scholarships – more than double Pennsylvania’s 48,989. And at $698 million, Florida’s cap is nearly four times higher than Pa’s $185 million cap.

In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to make scholarships available to thousands more Pennsylvania schoolchildren who are seeking the best possible education to fit their needs. This legislation will automatically increase the EITC and OSTC caps by 25 percent when 90 percent of available tax credits are claimed. Further, this legislation provides a private right of action for persons harmed by the withholding of the EITC letters.

This legislation will offer a lifeline to thousands of students who are turned away from tax credit-funded scholarship programs each year and ensure these children have an opportunity to access the education that best meets their individual needs.

Thank you for your interest in this important piece of legislation. Please join me in sponsoring this legislation to strengthen our tax-credit scholarship programs. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Evans at lmevans@pahousegop.com.



Introduced as HB2530