Catholics in Cyberspace

Elizabeth Benjamin of the Albany Times Union posted the following on the paper’s website today:

The New York State Catholic Conference is claiming responsibility for 30,000 e-mails sent to Gov. Eliot Spitzer and state lawmakers since March 19 that express support for the governor's proposed $1,000 tuition tax deduction for independent, out-of-district and religious schools.

Some 10,000 people responded to an action alert on the conference's Web site, each of whom clicked to send a message (see below) to Spitzer.

The top five legislative recipients, according to the conference, were:

Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-Williamsville: 531.

Sen. Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Center: 437.

Sen. Craig Johnson, D-Port Washington: 383.

Sen. Serphin Maltese, R-Queens: 380.

Sen. Andrew Lanza, R-Staten Island: 362.

The text of the e-mail follows:

"This year's proposed 2007-2008 State Budget adds a record $7 billion in additional funds to public schools over the next four years. The proposed budget also provides a modest yet historic tax deduction for families working hard to pay tuition. This tax deduction is a matter
of fairness."

"All parents, regardless of income, should have the opportunity to select their child's school, including a religious school. I urge you to help all children in all schools by fighting to include the Tuition Tax Deduction in the final State Budget. Please let me know whether I can count on you to stand up to the special interest groups."

The link is here.