The
Parent Advocate
Newsletter of the Maryland Federation of Catholic-School Families
March 2006
2006 Legislative Update
Session Ends April 10
Take action NOW on current legislative alerts at www.mdcathcon.org
Textbooks/Technology: The $4 million allocation for the program has been approved
by both the full Senate and House. It is almost certain that the funding
will remain intact in the final version of the budget, which should be approved
by the full General Assembly by April 3, 2006. Go to www.mdcathcon.org for
updates.
The BOAST Maryland Tax Credit: Senate Bill 946 was heard March 17 before the Senate
Budget and Taxation Committee and is still pending a committee vote. ACTION: Go
to current alerts at www.mdcathcon.org to urge support for SB946.
Nonpublic-School Teachers: The Quality Teacher Incentive Tax Credit (SB740)
was heard before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on March 17, and is
still pending a committee vote. The bill would allow nonpublic-school teachers
to claim a tax credit of up to $1,500 to offset the cost of courses needed to
maintain or advance their certification (the credit already exists for public
school teachers).
ACTION: Go to current alerts at www.mdcathcon.org to urge support for SB740.
We are also working to amend additional bills that would provide various benefits
to public-school teachers to extend the benefits to
nonpublic-school teachers as well.
Thanks to all those who attended and supported our March 8 Legislative
Reception, which was attended by more than 500 participants and legislators.
We also received thousands of letters from parents urging support for the BOAST
legislative district.