HARRISBURG – Montgomery County Rep. Joe Ciresi has introduced legislation reforming PA’s educational tax credit programs, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit, to ensure they are better serving those who need them. According to Ciresi, there has been little oversight to determine the effectiveness of how the money is spent, which has resulted in those in need not getting necessary assistance. House Bill 2063 would lower the eligibility income limit for EITC and OSTC scholarships to 200% of the federal poverty line and adjust definitions of household income to better align with what’s used for other state programs. It would also free up more money for scholarships and be fiscally responsible by reducing the cap on administrative expenses. It would expand data collection that will allow for the meaningful evaluation of program effectiveness and ensure scholarships are going to those who need them.
REP. JOE CIRESI