Catholic Conference of Ohio
February 28, 2011
The Ohio General Assembly is currently debating legislation that seeks major changes in collective bargaining laws. The Catholic bishops of Ohio encourage leaders in government, labor, and business to pursue changes that promote the common good without the elimination of collective bargaining. We urge continued good faith in ongoing negotiations. Civility, open communication, mutual cooperation, and peaceful witness should characterize legislative actions and public discourse.
In our faith tradition, defending the human dignity of every person, born and unborn, includes promoting economic justice. This justice places the good of the person at the center of all economic activities. It stresses that the economy exists for the person, not the person for the economy. It challenges society to measure the moral effectiveness of our economic practices by how well they strengthen families and provide for the poor and vulnerable.
This social doctrine has long recognized that all people have the right to economic initiative, to productive work, to just wages and benefits, to decent working conditions, to organize and join unions or other associations, and to engage in collective bargaining.
At the same time, this doctrine promotes mutual partnerships where both the needs of labor and the needs of management are freely and openly acknowledged and addressed. It challenges both unions and management to work for the common good, to make sacrifices when required, and to adjust to new economic realities.
May God’s wisdom and prudence guide all of us on this important justice issue.
Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Chairman, Catholic Conference of Ohio
Most Rev. Richard G. Lenno nBishop of Cleveland
Most Rev. Roger W. Gries Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland
Most Rev. Frederick F. Campbell Bishop of Columbus
Most Rev. John Kudrick Bishop of Byzantine Eparchy of Parma
Most Rev. R. Daniel Conlon Bishop of Steubenville
Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair Bishop of Toledo
Most Rev. George V. Murry S.J. Bishop of Youngstown
Most Rev. J. Michael Botean Bishop of Romanian Catholic Eparchy of Canton
Most Rev. John Bura Apostolic Administrator of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Eparchy
Showing posts with label Catholic Conference of Ohio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholic Conference of Ohio. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Catholic Bishops of Ohio voice dismay over state budget cuts in human services, Catholic hospitals and Catholic schools
July 29, 2009
The Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati, speaking on behalf of Ohio’s Catholic Bishops, issued a letter voicing dismay with specific cuts in the state budget, and disappointment with a political process that disregarded the concerns of many members of the General Assembly.
In a letter sent to Governor Strickland and each member of the Ohio General Assembly on July 27, the bishops expressed strong concern over cuts impacting the elderly, mentally ill, Catholic hospitals, and students in Catholic schools. In a prior letter (March 24, 2009) sent to elected state officials, the bishops specifically addressed the negative impact of budget cuts on Ohio’s hospitals and nursing homes.
According to Carolyn Jurkowitz, executive director of the Catholic Conference, the bishops gave extra attention in their more recent letter to cuts totaling $59M in services to Catholic school students and administrative cost reimbursement to Catholic schools. “We have the largest number of chartered nonpublic schools in Ohio, and therefore a major responsibility to promote fair and equitable treatment of all students, no matter where they attend school,” Jurkowitz explained.
The bishops wrote: “For over 25 years, state budgets treated students attending public and chartered nonpublic schools equitably. As state funding for public schools increased or decreased, line items benefiting students in chartered nonpublic schools increased or decreased proportionately. In HB1, this did not happen. The final budget reduced line items supporting students in chartered nonpublic schools by 15 percent from the House and Senate-passed versions of the budget bill… while state support for students in public schools [was] reduced by less than one percent and then bolstered with federal stimulus money. The new budget suggests that Catholic taxpayers and the children we serve will be the last to receive any consideration and the first to be cut.”
The bishops point out the high-quality education that Catholic schools provide to hundreds of thousands of citizens, and the tremendous contribution Catholic schools make to Ohio: “Catholic and other chartered nonpublic schools save the taxpayers of Ohio $2 billion a year in educational cost that the state would pay if these students were attending public schools. Our schools have a long history of public accountability for the public dollars and services they receive.”
The bishops also lamented the lack of opportunity to defend school funding during the conference committee process. Once the conference committee recommendations were made public, they were voted upon the same day, without the opportunity for amendments. The bishops note: “Many legislators told us that they disagreed with the cuts made in benefits for students in Catholic schools, and with the lack of opportunity to voice their concerns or influence the conference committee process.”
The text of the bishops’ letter follows:
Dear elected official,
On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Ohio, I write to register several concerns regarding the state budget (HB1).
We recognize the unprecedented economic situation facing Ohio, but we are troubled by the selectivity and harshness of certain cuts and the lack of public input into the conference committee’s recommendations.
Some positive changes occurred before the budget finally was approved; however, deep cuts still were made to programs in mental health, elder care and protective services. Catholic hospitals will experience a serious shortfall. We are very disappointed in the cut of $59 million over the next two years to line items 200-511 and 200-532 that provide assistance to students attending Catholic and other chartered nonpublic schools.
Furthermore, reduction in the scholarship amounts for EdChoice and elimination of systematic increases in these amounts will be detrimental to parents and students who desire to benefit from an education in our Catholic schools.
For over 25 years, state budgets treated students attending public and chartered nonpublic schools equitably. As state funding for public schools increased or decreased, line items benefiting students in chartered nonpublic schools increased or decreased proportionately. In HB1, this did not happen. The final budget reduced line items supporting students in chartered nonpublic schools by 15 percent from the House and Senate-passed versions of the budget bill. When the new cuts are added to cuts made during 2008/2009, funding for these programs benefiting students in chartered nonpublic schools will be 17.5 percent less than it was on July 1, 2008, while state support for students in public schools will be reduced by less than one percent and then bolstered with federal stimulus money. The new budget suggests that Catholic taxpayers and the children we serve will be the last to receive any consideration and the first to be cut.
The $59 M cut in the Auxiliary Services and Administrative Cost Reimbursement programs undermines the education of thousands of Ohio's young people and threatens to destabilize a system of schools that provides a high-quality education for hundreds of thousands of citizens of this state. As a result of these cuts, an average parish elementary school of 350 students will receive approximately $15,750 less in direct reimbursement and $34,300 less in resources and services, and a Catholic high school of 800 students will receive approximately $36,000 less in direct reimbursement and $78,000 less in resources and services.
We are extremely proud of the educational outcomes that our schools achieve. Catholic schools make a tremendous contribution to our State. In addition, Catholic and other chartered nonpublic schools save the taxpayers of Ohio $2 billion a year in educational cost that the state would pay if these students were attending public schools. Our schools have a long history of public accountability for the public dollars and services they
receive.
We are deeply disappointed in the legislative process that occurred during the conference committee on HB 1.
Many legislators have told us that they disagree with the cuts made in benefits for students in Catholic schools, and with the lack of opportunity to voice their concerns or influence the conference committee process.
We strongly encourage you to find a nonpartisan way to remedy the cuts. We sincerely hope that you will address our concerns in the budget corrections bill. Please tell us how we can help you in this effort. Thank you for this
opportunity.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk
Archbishop of Cincinnati,
Chairman of the Board, Catholic Conference of Ohio
July 27, 2009
The Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati, speaking on behalf of Ohio’s Catholic Bishops, issued a letter voicing dismay with specific cuts in the state budget, and disappointment with a political process that disregarded the concerns of many members of the General Assembly.
In a letter sent to Governor Strickland and each member of the Ohio General Assembly on July 27, the bishops expressed strong concern over cuts impacting the elderly, mentally ill, Catholic hospitals, and students in Catholic schools. In a prior letter (March 24, 2009) sent to elected state officials, the bishops specifically addressed the negative impact of budget cuts on Ohio’s hospitals and nursing homes.
According to Carolyn Jurkowitz, executive director of the Catholic Conference, the bishops gave extra attention in their more recent letter to cuts totaling $59M in services to Catholic school students and administrative cost reimbursement to Catholic schools. “We have the largest number of chartered nonpublic schools in Ohio, and therefore a major responsibility to promote fair and equitable treatment of all students, no matter where they attend school,” Jurkowitz explained.
The bishops wrote: “For over 25 years, state budgets treated students attending public and chartered nonpublic schools equitably. As state funding for public schools increased or decreased, line items benefiting students in chartered nonpublic schools increased or decreased proportionately. In HB1, this did not happen. The final budget reduced line items supporting students in chartered nonpublic schools by 15 percent from the House and Senate-passed versions of the budget bill… while state support for students in public schools [was] reduced by less than one percent and then bolstered with federal stimulus money. The new budget suggests that Catholic taxpayers and the children we serve will be the last to receive any consideration and the first to be cut.”
The bishops point out the high-quality education that Catholic schools provide to hundreds of thousands of citizens, and the tremendous contribution Catholic schools make to Ohio: “Catholic and other chartered nonpublic schools save the taxpayers of Ohio $2 billion a year in educational cost that the state would pay if these students were attending public schools. Our schools have a long history of public accountability for the public dollars and services they receive.”
The bishops also lamented the lack of opportunity to defend school funding during the conference committee process. Once the conference committee recommendations were made public, they were voted upon the same day, without the opportunity for amendments. The bishops note: “Many legislators told us that they disagreed with the cuts made in benefits for students in Catholic schools, and with the lack of opportunity to voice their concerns or influence the conference committee process.”
The text of the bishops’ letter follows:
Dear elected official,
On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Ohio, I write to register several concerns regarding the state budget (HB1).
We recognize the unprecedented economic situation facing Ohio, but we are troubled by the selectivity and harshness of certain cuts and the lack of public input into the conference committee’s recommendations.
Some positive changes occurred before the budget finally was approved; however, deep cuts still were made to programs in mental health, elder care and protective services. Catholic hospitals will experience a serious shortfall. We are very disappointed in the cut of $59 million over the next two years to line items 200-511 and 200-532 that provide assistance to students attending Catholic and other chartered nonpublic schools.
Furthermore, reduction in the scholarship amounts for EdChoice and elimination of systematic increases in these amounts will be detrimental to parents and students who desire to benefit from an education in our Catholic schools.
For over 25 years, state budgets treated students attending public and chartered nonpublic schools equitably. As state funding for public schools increased or decreased, line items benefiting students in chartered nonpublic schools increased or decreased proportionately. In HB1, this did not happen. The final budget reduced line items supporting students in chartered nonpublic schools by 15 percent from the House and Senate-passed versions of the budget bill. When the new cuts are added to cuts made during 2008/2009, funding for these programs benefiting students in chartered nonpublic schools will be 17.5 percent less than it was on July 1, 2008, while state support for students in public schools will be reduced by less than one percent and then bolstered with federal stimulus money. The new budget suggests that Catholic taxpayers and the children we serve will be the last to receive any consideration and the first to be cut.
The $59 M cut in the Auxiliary Services and Administrative Cost Reimbursement programs undermines the education of thousands of Ohio's young people and threatens to destabilize a system of schools that provides a high-quality education for hundreds of thousands of citizens of this state. As a result of these cuts, an average parish elementary school of 350 students will receive approximately $15,750 less in direct reimbursement and $34,300 less in resources and services, and a Catholic high school of 800 students will receive approximately $36,000 less in direct reimbursement and $78,000 less in resources and services.
We are extremely proud of the educational outcomes that our schools achieve. Catholic schools make a tremendous contribution to our State. In addition, Catholic and other chartered nonpublic schools save the taxpayers of Ohio $2 billion a year in educational cost that the state would pay if these students were attending public schools. Our schools have a long history of public accountability for the public dollars and services they
receive.
We are deeply disappointed in the legislative process that occurred during the conference committee on HB 1.
Many legislators have told us that they disagree with the cuts made in benefits for students in Catholic schools, and with the lack of opportunity to voice their concerns or influence the conference committee process.
We strongly encourage you to find a nonpartisan way to remedy the cuts. We sincerely hope that you will address our concerns in the budget corrections bill. Please tell us how we can help you in this effort. Thank you for this
opportunity.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk
Archbishop of Cincinnati,
Chairman of the Board, Catholic Conference of Ohio
July 27, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Catholic Conference of Ohio expresses disappointment with state budget.
Catholic Conference of Ohio
July 13, 2009
The state budget bill compromise (HB 1) will hurt persons who are poor and
vulnerable and cut support for students attending Catholic schools.
Deep budget cuts remain in programs designed to help persons in need of elder
care and child protective services. Children attend Catholic schools will feel the
burden of a $59 M reduction in resources and services.
These cuts in funding for students in chartered nonpublic schools, when
added to cuts made to resources and services for those students in 2008/2009,
undermine the education of thousands of Ohio's young people. Furthermore, they
threaten to destabilize a system of schools that provides high quality education
for hundreds of thousands of citizens in this state and has done so reliably for
150 years. Chartered nonpublic schools save Ohio taxpayers close to $2 billion
every year.
Reduced will be funds that provide for guidance counselors, standardized testing,
remedial reading and math, textbooks, speech and hearing therapy, school
nurses, instructional supplies and equipment.
Director Jurkowitz estimates that a typical elementary school of 350 students will
see its state-funded assistance reduced by $50,000 in the fall, and a typical high
school of 800 students will see its assistance reduced by $114,000.
These cuts fall particularly hard on parents in economically disadvantaged areas,
who cannot possibly afford to make up the lost revenue in increased tuition.
Director Jurkowitz also lamented the harm that will befall many vulnerable
persons as a result passage of HB 1. The $250 M cut in public assistance has
dismantled child protective services and needed jobs and training programs.
Denying PASSPORT in-home care and community-based services to older
Ohioans will harm many, many families and will result in increased reliance on
costly nursing home care.
Jurkowitz reported that the Ohio Catholic bishops are on record as opposing slot
machines and casino gambling. Neither is in the best moral, social or economic
interest of the people of Ohio.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio is the official representative of the Catholic
Church in public matters affecting the Church and the general welfare of the
citizens of Ohio.
The Catholic Conference promotes the defense of all human life, from conception
through natural death, care for the poor and vulnerable, and the promotion of the
common good. The Catholic Church also provides direct care and education for
Ohio's citizens through numerous schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and social
service agencies.
July 13, 2009
The state budget bill compromise (HB 1) will hurt persons who are poor and
vulnerable and cut support for students attending Catholic schools.
Deep budget cuts remain in programs designed to help persons in need of elder
care and child protective services. Children attend Catholic schools will feel the
burden of a $59 M reduction in resources and services.
These cuts in funding for students in chartered nonpublic schools, when
added to cuts made to resources and services for those students in 2008/2009,
undermine the education of thousands of Ohio's young people. Furthermore, they
threaten to destabilize a system of schools that provides high quality education
for hundreds of thousands of citizens in this state and has done so reliably for
150 years. Chartered nonpublic schools save Ohio taxpayers close to $2 billion
every year.
Reduced will be funds that provide for guidance counselors, standardized testing,
remedial reading and math, textbooks, speech and hearing therapy, school
nurses, instructional supplies and equipment.
Director Jurkowitz estimates that a typical elementary school of 350 students will
see its state-funded assistance reduced by $50,000 in the fall, and a typical high
school of 800 students will see its assistance reduced by $114,000.
These cuts fall particularly hard on parents in economically disadvantaged areas,
who cannot possibly afford to make up the lost revenue in increased tuition.
Director Jurkowitz also lamented the harm that will befall many vulnerable
persons as a result passage of HB 1. The $250 M cut in public assistance has
dismantled child protective services and needed jobs and training programs.
Denying PASSPORT in-home care and community-based services to older
Ohioans will harm many, many families and will result in increased reliance on
costly nursing home care.
Jurkowitz reported that the Ohio Catholic bishops are on record as opposing slot
machines and casino gambling. Neither is in the best moral, social or economic
interest of the people of Ohio.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio is the official representative of the Catholic
Church in public matters affecting the Church and the general welfare of the
citizens of Ohio.
The Catholic Conference promotes the defense of all human life, from conception
through natural death, care for the poor and vulnerable, and the promotion of the
common good. The Catholic Church also provides direct care and education for
Ohio's citizens through numerous schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and social
service agencies.
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