Second, parents with children in yeshivas were aided with transportation. Our bill passed a few years ago but it was made stronger this year. New York City is now picking up the tab for kids who come home at six or six thirty. This was all about equity.
There also was increased funding for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program. TAP was initially seen as something that top people in the state said couldn’t be accomplished. But I persisted. Having good relationships was the key to that success. It took a lot of work but I never gave up, and something that people said was impossible now provides $20 million a year to rabbinical programs throughout our community and beyond.
Are Education Tax Credits the next “impossible” task?
It’s not impossible asfar as I’m concerned. Education Tax Credits are my number one priority. Putting children through yeshiva is very expensive. Our community deserves our fair share of relief, so that’s what this is all about. I plan to fight hard for that and I won’t give up.
Is waging that fight a campaign promise?
It’s more than that. It’s who I am.