Catholic bishops met at the governor’s mansion with some state lawmakers Monday for a meeting arranged by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the earned income tax credit.
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, speaking after the lunch with assemblymembers and senators, says it was a positive discussion, and there may be hopes of compromise. The bill includes tax credits for donors who give money for scholarships for children at private and parochial schools.
“There seemed to be a conciliatory atmosphere,” Dolan said. “I just found it very helpful.”
The chief resistance to the measure comes from some Assembly Democrats, who believe the measure favors the wealthy , many of whom are campaign donors, something Dolan and other backers deny.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie did not attend the meeting, but met with the cardinal privately later. A spokesman says there is still not enough support for the measure among Democrats to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.
