Pa. Looks to Expand Education Credit That Aided Second Mile
June 28, 2012 | Read Time: 1 minute
A taxpayer-subsidized scholarship program that Pennsylvania lawmakers are looking to expand provided nearly $1.4-million to the youth charity founded by Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State coach convicted last week of sexual child abuse, reports the Philadelphia Daily News.
The Second Mile continues to receive state-subsidized donations through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, to the tune of nearly $123,000 this fiscal year, but regulators said the organization could soon lose its status in the scholarship program because it is transferring its assets to an out-of-state charity.
The $75-million program, known as EITC, raises money for private school scholarships and youth projects by offering a tax credit to corporations that donate to participating groups. The Second Mile has encouraged donors to make gifts through EITC.
Because the money returned to donors might otherwise fund state programs, critics of the program argue that it is a taxpayer-financed subsidy with little oversight. The Philadelphia Archdiocese and school-voucher advocates are lobbying legislators to expand the credit to $100-million to $200-million a year.
