Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, applauds Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge for his pledge today to fund a school voucher program in the fiscal year 1999-2000. "I am heartened by Governor Ridge's continued commitment to school vouchers," says Cardinal Bevilacqua. "His budget proposal today is an important step towards making school choice a reality. Parents have the inherent right to choose a school for their children. I am pleased that Governor Ridge is publicly reaffirming that right."

In his annual budget address to the state Legislature today in Harrisburg, Governor Ridge announced that he is proposing $63 million for a pilot school voucher program in Pennsylvania. Currently, 40 cities across the country have school voucher programs, including publicly funded programs in Milwaukee and Cleveland, serving more than 30,000 students. Tens of thousands more students are on waiting lists to participate in school voucher programs. There are 214 elementary schools, 22 high schools as well as private Catholic elementary and secondary schools educating over 121,000 students in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

"Tuition is still beyond the reach of too many parents who cannot afford the twin costs of taxes and tuition," says Cardinal Bevilacqua. "School vouchers would ensure that parents, especially the poor, have a choice. I fervently believe school choice is a matter of justice. For parents facing financial hardship, it is imperative. Simply put, parents, who know what is best for their children, should be empowered to select the best education for those children."

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