Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, expressed his disappointment over the Pennsylvania state legislature's failure to act on pending school choice legislation. The legislative session ended Wednesday without a vote. "Parents deserve the fundamental right to choose freely their children's education, and it is very troubling that our lawmakers have failed to provide them with that right," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

Under the proposals that were being considered in Harrisburg, students from academically distressed public school districts would have been eligible for an enhanced voucher that would equal the funding for the student's local public school district up to the full cost of their education at the school of their choice. Another proposal would have provided a voucher worth up to $1,400 to parents of elementary school students. Parents then would have been allowed to apply the voucher to the public, private, religious or charter school of their choice.

"This inaction by our state lawmakers will adversely affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of children," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "Many people firmly believe school choice is a matter of justice. By not voting on the proposals before it, the legislature has failed to deliver justice to the people of the Commonwealth."

"Everyone benefits from school choice," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "Under school choice, public, private, and religious schools would improve and all Pennsylvanians, be they students, parents, or taxpayers, would benefit. Despite this setback, we will continue to advocate school choice legislation, and we remain confident justice ultimately will prevail."

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