Testimony
Public Hearing Testimony
Submitted by the New York State Catholic Conference
to the Assembly Standing Committee on Codes
Re: A.1771 (Markey)
Assembly Hearing Room
250 Broadway, 19th Floor, Room 1923
New York, New York
March 8, 2013
The protection of children is the hallmark of a civil society. Respect for the dignity of every person and the sanctity of life imposes a sacred moral obligation to protect the young and vulnerable as a precious treasure. Protection of children and young people from the crime and tragedy of sexual abuse is a fundamental component of this obligation.
For nearly a decade, reacting to widespread shock and revulsion at past and present sexual abuse of minors in schools, colleges, churches and public facilities, the New York State Legislature has considered the most effective ways to ensure the protection of children. More 
Testimony of the New York State Catholic Conference
regarding the 2013 – 2014 Elementary and Secondary Education Budget
Presented by
James Cultrara
Director for Education
Hearing Room B
Legislative Office Building
Albany, N.Y.
January 29, 2013
Introduction
Good afternoon. Chairman DeFrancisco, Chairman Farrell, Chairman Flanagan, Chairwoman Nolan and honorable members, my name is Jim Cultrara, Director for Education at the New York State Catholic Conference. As co-chairmen of the NYS Coalition for Independent and Religious Schools, I speak today on behalf of the administrators, teachers, parents and nearly a half million students enrolled in nearly 2,000 religious and independent schools across the state.
We are grateful for this opportunity to share our views regarding the education provisions outlined in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2013-2014 Executive Budget. Though our written testimony contains a number of areas of great importance to religious and independent schools, we will focus our oral comments today on only three. More
Presented by Rabbi David Zwiebel, Agudath Israel of America & James Cultrara, NYS Catholic Conference
Albany, N.Y.
January 23, 2012
Introduction
Good afternoon. Chairman DeFrancisco, Chairman Farrell, Chairman Flanigan, Chairwoman Nolan and honorable members, my name is David Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America and joining me is Jim Cultrara, Director for Education at the New York State Catholic Conference. As co-chairmen of the NYS Coalition for Independent and Religious Schools, we are speaking today on behalf of the administrators, teachers, parents and approximately 500,000 students of the nearly 2,000 religious and independent schools across the state.
First and foremost, we take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to you, your fellow legislators and to Governor Cuomo for, just 47 days ago, having enacted a permanent exemption of religious and independent schools from the MTA Payroll Tax that was imposed in 2009. The MTA Payroll Tax had cost religious and independent schools approximately $8 million each of the last two years while their public school counterparts were reimbursed for the tax. While the Assembly and Senate had previously enacted differing measures to remedy this injustice, last month’s action, with the support of Governor Cuomo, brought a final resolution to the issue. For this we are very grateful.
We are also grateful for this opportunity to share our views and concerns regarding the education budget outlined in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget. Though our written testimony contains a number of areas of great importance to religious and independent schools, we will focus our oral comments today on only three. More
PUBLIC COMMENTS OF THE
NEW YORK STATE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
REGARDING THE NEW YORK STATE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION’S
HYDRO-FRACTURING PROPOSAL
[REVISED DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON THE
OIL, GAS AND SOLUTION MINING REGULATORY PROGRAM - WELL PERMIT ISSUANCE FOR HORIZONTAL DRILLING AND HIGH-VOLUME FRACTURING TO DEVELOP THE
MARCELLUS SHALE AND OTHER LOW-PERMEABILITY GAS RESERVOIRS]
Submitted Date: January 6, 2012
Printable PDF version here
These comments are submitted on behalf of the New York State Catholic Conference, representing the Catholic Bishops of New York State on matters of public policy. The Catholic Church is the largest non-profit provider of education, health and human services in the state. The ministries of the Church are found in every locality of New York, serving not just the spiritual needs of the people but also the material. Our Catholic tradition compels us to be active participants in the civic life of our community, and to help fashion policies to shape a more caring world that upholds the dignity of every individual with a particular focus on the needs of the poorest, sickest, neediest and vulnerable among us. More
Presented on Behalf of the Council of Catholic Charities Directors by
Earl Eichelberger
Director for Catholic Charities
New York State Catholic Conference
Albany, New York
February 16, 2011
Introduction
Good morning! My name is Earl Eichelberger and I serve as the Director for Catholic Charities at the New York State Catholic Conference and Executive Secretary to the New York State Council of Catholic Charities Directors. The New York State Catholic Conference represents the Bishops of the eight dioceses of New York State in matters of public policy. In the human service arena, the expertise, experience and advice of the Council of Catholic Charities Directors guides the Conference. The Catholic Church is the largest non-profit provider of education, health care and human services in the state. Catholic Charities programs exist in all eight dioceses to provide services to people in need. Our Catholic tradition compels us to be active participants in the civic life of our community, to fashion a more just world that upholds the dignity of every individual and to serve those in need. The needs of the poor and vulnerable must not be ignored. A key measure of any society is how the most vulnerable members are cared for; those with the greatest need are due special attention. There is a long history in New York State of government and not-for-profit providers collaborating to deliver services in a cost-effective manner. This public/private partnership in support of the poor and vulnerable must be maintained.
I am here on behalf of a “special interest.” I am unapologetically here to speak on behalf of the poor and vulnerable. More
By His Excellency, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan,
Archbishop of New York
Albany, New York
February 15, 2011
Good afternoon, Senator DeFrancisco, Senator Flanagan, Assemblyman Farrell, Assemblywoman Nolan and honorable members, my name is Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York. Joining me today is Dr. Timothy McNiff, Superintendent of Schools for the archdiocese, and Jim Cultrara, Director for Education at the NYS Catholic Conference, of which I am honored to serve as president.
I am grateful for this opportunity to comment on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposals related to elementary and secondary education. It is my hope and prayer that my comments help you shape a state budget that is fair, just and prudent. I am honored to address distinguished public officials such as yourselves, and deeply appreciate your high interest in education. I am here on behalf of the approximately 200,000 students in the state of New York in our Catholic schools, (the largest non-governmental school system in our state), young people and their parents of every religion or none at all, of every ethnic and economic background. I am speaking for them. More
