FAMILY - Pennsylvania Family Institute

PENNSYLVANIAFAMILYINSTITUTEINSIDE THIS ISSUE: 2005 CITY ON THE HILL YOUTH CONFERENCE • HARRISBURG HEADLINES: A Vote for Kids & Families, Not Special Interests • The Educational Improvement Tax Credit

2PENNSYLVANIA CITIZEN Volume 17, Number 2 • March / April 2005FAMILYUPDATEMICHAEL GEERPRESIDENT,PENNSYLVANIAFAMILY INSTITUTEwww.pafamily.orgPA Family: Buildingfor the Future!More than every so often, we like to raiseour heads up above the fray, and make plansfor the future – the long-term future. Yes,the raging policy battles and tyranny of theurgent can tend to limit the scope of ourvision, but we force ourselves to think aboutwhat will happen for generations to come –should the Lord tarry.I’m especially enthusiastic about two ofour ventures, and the hope they provide forthe future. First is our City On The HillYouth Leadership Conference, set for July 18-22 at Lebanon Valley College (near Hershey).It’s aimed at 15-18 year oldhigh-school students, and it will help themunderstand a biblical world-view, developtheir leadership skills, and get hands-onexperience in the policy process. What’smore, they’ll spend two days in our beautifuland historic State Capitol Building, votingfor their leadership, conducting committeehearings, and even debating on the House orSenate floor! Then, there’s an evening atHersheypark, a talent show that venturesfrom the inspiring to the hilarious, lots ofrecreation and developing long-term friendships.When I see the tremendous, lifechangingimpact City On The Hill has had onthe many young people who’ve attended, Iam thankful for this investment that we,through your generous support, are able tomake in the future.Speaking of investing in the future, thesecond venture that’s doing wonders is PFI’sFamily Choice Scholarship Program, whichprovides scholarships for children to attendthe school of their parent’s choice – includingChristian schools. The money for thesescholarships is donated by businesses, whothen receive what amounts to nearly a dollar-for-dollarcredit off their state businesstaxes. I know – it sounds too hard tobelieve – but it’s true! Under Pennsylvania’sEducation Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)program, rather than sending tax dollars offto the black hole in Harrisburg, businessescan instead donate to our Family ChoiceScholarship Program, and thereby provide afuture for a needy young person so they canget a good education – from Pre-K rightthrough 12th grade!I’ve been told it’s a no-brainer, and Iagree. But to take part, it does take someaction. If you’re a Pennsylvania business, it’sworth your while to contact me to get detailson how this wonderful program works, andhow you can possibly take part. Not everybusiness is eligible – but many are. Clip thecoupon we’ve provided here, check out ourwebsite or call me at 1-800-FAMILY-1. Whynot invest in the future—especially when itcosts you virtually nothing to do so!• H A R R I S B U R G H E A D L I N E S •A VOTE FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES,NOT SPECIAL INTERESTSThere’s an old saying that goes somethinglike, “where there’s smoke there’s fire.”Well if the latest smokescreen being thrownup by the Administration against the verypopular and successful EducationImprovement Tax Credit (EITC) program isany indication, then the education establishmentand their allies must once again be turningup the heat against kids and families whothink that a one-size-fits-all approach in educationis not the answer.Adopted in 2001, the EITC program hasbeen a vital resource to families all across theCommonwealth whose children were notsucceeding in a traditional public schoolenvironment. This innovative program hasdone what many advocates have been tryingto accomplish for years; get the businesscommunity more directly involved in education.Through the EITC program, businessescan direct their tax dollars to help children intheir local communities by taking a tax creditof up to 90 percent for contributions madeto qualified scholarship and educationalimprovement organizations.Since the programs’ inception, tens ofthousands of children have been given achance to explore other educational options.In fact during the 2004-05 school year, theEITC program is helping more than 25,000children succeed in a school that best suitstheir individual needs.So it is easy to see why the educationalestablishment and their allies would seethis program as a threat to their long-terminterests.In their latest attempts to suffocate theEITC program, the education establishmentused one of their favorite tactics – increasedregulations and over-burdensome red tape –in an attempt to stifle educational creativityand choice. Earlier this year, without statutoryauthority, the Administration released a newset of reporting requirements for organizationsthat would have been overly intrusive andunnecessary for the oversight of the program.In what can only be described as a “he saidMail to:PA FAMILY INSTITUTE23 NORTH FRONT STREETHARRISBURG, PA 171O1PHONE (717) 545-0600FAX (717) 545-8107what?” moment, when asked by the SenateEducation Committee how collecting theinformation that the Administration wantedcollected would better able the department toenforce the EITC law, the Deputy Secretary ofBusiness Assistance at the Department ofCommunity and Economic Development,replied, “It does not.”In response to this threat to the program,EITC supporters in the Pennsylvania Houseand Senate introduced bills that would protectthe organizations and families who participatein the program by requiring reasonable additionalreporting requirements.Thankfully, by an overwhelming 46 to 1vote, the Pennsylvania Senate approved SenateBill 507; there by throwing a bucket of coldwater on the educational establishments’ plansto once again put their interests over that ofPennsylvania’s kids and families.SOURCE: Commentary by Andrew LeFevre,Executive Director of the REACH (Road to EducationalAchievement Through Choice) Alliance. Founded in1991, the REACH Alliance is Pennsylvania’s grassrootscoalition dedicated to ensuring parental choice in education.For more information on REACH, visitwww.paschoolchoice.org.THE EDUCATIONAL IMPROVE-MENT TAX CREDITPennsylvania Family Institute’sFamily Choice ScholarshipProgram is approved by theCommonwealth ofPennsylvania to solicit taxcrediteligible contributions from businessesdesiring to help families and children inPennsylvania through expanded parentalchoice in education.Under the Commonwealth’s EducationImprovement Tax Credit (EITC) program,these contributions allow the businesses toreceive very generous tax credits and deductions,and help Pennsylvania parents choosethe school for their children that best fits theneeds and values of their family. FCSP receivesthe business contributions, and in turn, providesPre-Kindergarten and K-12 scholarshipsusing those funds.The Family Choice Scholarship Program’sprimary focus is to distribute scholarshipfunds to Pennsylvania students in gradesPreK-12 in Pennsylvania schools from familieswith demonstrated financial inability tomake the education choice they deem bestfor their children.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (F.A.Q.):A guide for business owners1. What is an Educational ImprovementTax Credit?A tax credit for businesses that make adonation to a scholarship organization, suchas Pennsylvania Family Institute’s FamilyChoice Scholarship Program. Scholarshiporganizations will then award scholarships tochildren across Pennsylvania to assist them inattending the schools of their choice.2. What businesses qualify?Businesses in Pennsylvania that pay any ofthe following taxes:• Corporate Net Income Tax• Capital Stock and Franchise Tax• Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax• Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax• Insurance Premiums Tax• or the Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax.3. How much of a tax credit can I get formy business?The tax credit is a 75 percent credit (againsttaxes owed). However, if a company providesa written two-year commitment of equal funding,the credit becomes 90 percent (existingcharitable deductions still apply with thiscredit, increasing the value of the tax credit).Eligible companies may take up to $200,000in tax credits per year.Interested businesses can get all the detailsonline by visiting www.pafamily.org and clickingthe Family Choice logo. Or, use the specialcoupon below.I’m Interested in the Family Choice Scholarship Program!I’m an interested business owner – or can approach a business owner.❏ Please send me a Family Choice Scholarship Program Business Packet.NAME __________________________________________________________________________________ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________CITY ________________________________ STATE _____ ZIP______________________________________PHONE _____________________________ E-MAIL ____________________________________________Business Packets contain the following helpful resources:• Family Choice Scholarship Program (FCSP) brochure.• Procedures for contributing to the FSCP.• Narrative description of FSCP as approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Communityand Economic Development (DCED).• Information packet from DCED, including application form for businesses seeking tax credits.• Sample tax credit calculations.Business Packets for the Family Choice Scholarship Program will be mailed outas soon as requests are received.PENNSYLVANIAFAMILYINSTITUTE

PENNSYLVANIA CITIZEN Volume 17, Number 2 • March / April 2005 3Conference Directors:Brett & Jen MillerBrett and Jen are both professional educators; Brett serving withthe Warwick School District, and Jen a teacher at New DanvilleMennonite School in Lancaster County. Brett has a long history inpro-life work, serving as a leader of the Lancaster Pro-Life Coalition,and now as a board member of Lancaster United for Life. Brett alsoserves as a worship leader in his church, and he coaches track atWarwick Middle School.Featured SpeakersMichael Geer –Pennsylvania Family InstituteMichael is the President of the PennsylvaniaFamily Institute, a research and educationorganization, associated with Focus on theFamily that concentrates on policies and culturaltrends that impact families.Prior to starting at the Pennsylvania FamilyInstitute, Michael served for eight years atWPXI-TV, the NBC television affiliate in Pittsburgh,as Senior News Producer and for twoyears at the ABC News Washington bureau, working on the productionstaff of ABC World News Tonight and the original Nightline staff.Stephen McDowell—Providence FoundationStephen McDowell is President of theProvidence Foundation, a Christian educationalorganization whose mission is to spread liberty,justice, and prosperity among the nationsby educating individuals in a Biblical worldview.McDowell has authored or co-authored adozen books, videos, and training courses,including America’s Providential History, InSearch of Democracy, Liberating the Nations,In God We Trust Tour Guide, The Story of America’s Liberty, andBuilding Godly Nations. He has traveled throughout the United Statesand to twenty nations in six continents, teaching tens of thousands ofpeople from about 100 different countries. He has consulted withnumerous government officials, assisted in writing political documents,aided in establishing political parties, and serves on the adjunctfaculty of Regent University.Dr. Alberta WilsonFaith FirstDr. Alberta Wilson is president of Faith First,Inc. of Philadelphia. Through Faith First, Dr.Wilson is building faith in parents to see theirchildren succeed, despite often very difficultchallenges. It is impossible not to catch theenthusiasm of Dr.Wilson and her passion forchildren and families when hearing her speak,seeing her in action, or witnessing the fruits ofher labor through Faith First.Dr. Wilson also helped establish Beulah Baptist Christian Day School,and served as its first headmaster. She is strongly supported in herefforts by her husband, Woodrow, who serves as a deacon in his localchurch, and is on the board of Faith First.Patty KimFormer TV News Anchor/ReporterPolitical CandidatePatty Kim is seeking office on the HarrisburgCity Council. Before that, she served as weekendnews anchor and reporter at WHP CBS 21News beginning in May of 2001. She alsoworked as a morning anchor in Hagerstown,Maryland for about two years, and she workedbehind-the-scenes for WJLA-TV in WashingtonD.C. and NewsChannel 8 in Springfield, Virginia.She graduated from Boston College with a mass communicationsdegree. She started off as a nursing major but caught the news bugmidway. She hasn’t looked back since. Patty grew up in San Diego andNorthern Virginia where she calls home. She enjoys hiking, mountainbiking, and cooking. She’s married and lives in Harrisburg.Bill Devlin & Luke Devlin(Father & Son)Urban Family CouncilBill is the founder of Urban Family Council,an urban-based, inter-racial pro-life, pro-familyorganization dedicated to the city, its childrenand families. Bill is regularly sought out by themedia to speak to the cultural and family issuesof the day, and today works for a Wall Streetinvestment firm. His 18-year old son Luke hasappeared on the Today Show and at numerouspublic events, speaking on how his Christian commitment affects hislife and relationships.Rep. Sam Rohrer Rep.Gordon Denlinger Rep. Scott BoydThis dynamic lineup of Pennsylvania State Representatives will helpstudents understand how their Christian faith can effectively interact withthe public square. All three legislators are leaders for positive change inthe Legislature, bringing political savvy, Christian principles and groundbreakingideas to the policy process.Call 717-545-0600 or visit www.pafamily.org for details.STAY INFORMEDwith Resources from Pennsylvania Family InstitutePLEASE SEND ME:❏ Pennsylvania Citizen newsletter (suggested donation $20/year)❏ Bulk copies Pennsylvania Citizen newsletter ($10/hundred)❏ Pennsylvania Families and Schools quarterly magazine (suggested donation$25/year for 4 issues)❏ Bulk copies of Pennsylvania Families and Schools magazine ($20/hundred)❏ Marriage Pack – “Marriage Under Fire” by Dr. James Dobson plus otherimportant marriage materials (suggested donation $20)❏ God and Ronald Reagan by Dr. Paul Kengor (suggested donation $25)❏ God and George W. Bush by Dr. Paul Kengor (suggested donation $25)❏ Pocket booklet on Stem Cell Research (donation of any amt.)❏ Rush me a City on the Hill Youth Conference application.❏ I’d like to support the work of PFI. Here’s my tax-deductibledonation of: ❏ $100 ❏ $50 ❏ $25 ❏ Other: $________PENNSYLVANIAFAMILY 23 NORTH FRONT STREET • HARRISBURG, PA 171O1INSTITUTE PHONE (717) 545-0600 • FAX (717) 545-8107❏ YES! Please send me more information about other supportoptions and opportunities.NAME __________________________________________________________________ADDRESS________________________________________________________________COUNTY ________________________________________________________________CITY _______________________________________ STATE ____ ZIP______________PHONE ( ) ______________________________________________________________❏ I would like Pennsylvania Family Institute to send me periodicinformation and updates by e-mail.E-MAIL ADDRESS __________________________________________________________❏ My check is enclosed for $ ___________.❏ Please charge $ _________ to my: ❏ VISA ❏ MASTERCARD ❏ DISCOVERCARD NO. ______________ – ______________ – ______________ – ______________VALIDATION NO. ___________ (3-digit # on back of card, above signature panel, for authorization.)EXPIRES _______ /_______ DAYTIME PHONE ( ) ____________________________________CARDHOLDER’S SIGNATURESteve WagnerStand to ReasonSteve Wagner trains students todefend their Christian faith and valuesagainst challenges from teachers andpeers. He focuses especially onbioethical issues including abortionand cloning, but moral relativism,evolution, and the resurrection ofJesus Christ find their place in hisseminars, where he focuses onimparting skills through interactive activities. Steve has spokento audiences in Canada and across the United States, including anaudience of 25,000 at The Call, an assembly of Christians meeting forprayer and repentance at the Cottonbowl in Dallas, Texas. He trains studentsat the Focus on the Family Institute and has trained and debatedstudents on major university campuses nationwide.David BurkeEnthusiastic MinistriesDavid Burke is that rare individual with theunique ability to connect with all ages anddiverse audiences. Drawing on nearly 25 yearsof ministry and leadership experience, heblends humor, relevant illustrations, and practicalapplication to inspire, motivate, and mostof all, change lives. Some speakers strike theimagination for the clarity and substance oftheir message; others stand out for the genuinehumor with which they communicate. There are very, very fewwho manage to do both equally well, and David Burke is one of them.A natural storyteller, he has, in the words of one admiring peer, “thatgreat mix of insanity and energy that grabs and holds the attention ofyouth and adults.”John M. Templeton, Jr., M.D. –John Templeton FoundationAfter receiving a B.A. degree from YaleUniversity, Dr. Templeton earned an M.D. degreefrom Harvard Medical School. When he completedhis service to the U.S. Navy he returned toThe Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 1977,where he served on staff as a pediatric surgeon.Holding memberships in numerous professionaland scientific societies, Dr. Templeton serves asPresident of the John Templeton Foundation.Dr Templeton is married to Dr Josephine Templeton who isretired from the practice of pediatric anesthesiology at TheChildren’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Dr Templeton’s autobiography, A Searcher’s Life, was publishedin 1999. In 2004 he wrote Thrift and Generosity: The Joy of Giving.“I feel more able to be sure of anddefend what I believe, both throughwords and how I present myself. Ithink I can be a more effective citizenand Christian through what I learnedover that week, and I also have madenew friendships, which I’m sure willenrich my life for years to come.”— Bethany, age 18____________________________________________________As we try to conserve our resources, we ask that you cut out thiscoupon and send it to us in an envelope from home. This helps save onour printing costs. Thank you for helping us to conserve!Your gifts to the Pennsylvania Family Institute are tax deductible and are sincerely appreciated. Thank you for your partnership with us! A copy of the official registration and financial information ofPennsylvania Family Institute may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Dept. of State by calling toll-free in Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.SponsorsFOCUS ON THE FAMILYFAMILY RESEARCH COUNCILCHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETYCOMMONWEALTH FOUNDATIONCENTER FOR PARENT/YOUTH UNDERSTANDINGCHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATIONOF PENNSYLVANIAPENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATIONPENNSYLVANIA FAMILY INSTITUTETHE COMMONWEALTH CAUCUSPFI STAFFMichael Geer, PresidentThomas J. Shaheen, Vice President for Policy,Pennsylvania Citizen EditorRuth Wilson, AdministratorBob Flower, Community Impact CoordinatorLois Romberger, Administrative AssistantAilea Omotosho, Family Choice ScholarshipProgram CoordinatorPFI 2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORSJ. Myron Stoltzfus, ChairmanBrian Campbell, Vice-ChairmanRobert B. Hayward, Jr., TreasurerMark L. James, Esq., SecretaryMichael GeerJames M. HerrKent MartinThe Pennsylvania Citizen is published bi-monthly by thePennsylvania Family Institute, a non-profit research and educationalorganization that focuses on cultural trends and public policiesthat impact families. Founded in 1989, its mission is to strengthenfamilies by restoring to public life the traditional, foundational principlesessential for the well-being of society. Subscriptions areavailable for a suggested donation of $20 per year by contacting thePennsylvania Family Institute at the address below.23 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 • Harrisburg: Phone 717-545-0600 • 1-800-FAMILY-1 • Fax 717-545-8107

THE CITY ON THE HILL YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE isa fantastic opportunity for high school students ages 15through 18 to participate in leadership training and learnthe governmental process. Family policy councils across theU.S. and other organizations interested in developing thepotential of young leaders hold City on the Hill Conferences intheir own states. This is the 5th annual conference in Pennsylvania,and students from across the entire state and Marylandhave participated.For six action-packed days, you will learn the legislativeprocess by becoming a state legislator. You’ll carry actual legislation,learn public speaking skills, and be equipped todebate today’s critical issues.You will meet legislators, lobbyists, lawyers, educators,and others whose stories and examples will both challengeyou and awaken your imagination to the many career opportunitiesawaiting you. Many of our graduates are pursuingcareers in leadership areas and are becoming activelyinvolved in their schools and communities as interns, assistantsand future leaders!The bottom line is this: You’ll have a lot of fun. You’lllove the people you meet. You won’t be the same.Download your Application Today at:www.pafamily.org or Call 1-800-FAMILY-1for More Information.PENNSYLVANIAFAMILYINSTITUTE23 North Front StreetHarrisburg, PA 17101Phone (717) 545-0600Fax: (717) 545-8107www.pafamily.orgNON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. PostagePAIDHARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 412