Assemblyman Dov Hikind meeting recently with Agudath Israel of America leadership: Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President and Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Vice President for Community Affairs.

I had a great meeting this morning at my home with Agudath Israel of America Executive Vice President Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel and Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Vice President for Community Affairs, to discuss the upcoming 2016 session in Albany and the legislative agenda. We have worked together over the years on important issues facing our community, especially when it comes to advocating for our yeshivas and parochial schools. Among the issues we discussed was the Education Investment Tax Credit (EITC), which would ensure that parents receive their fair share when it comes to education.

Another issue we discussed was proposed legislation to uphold the values of religious institutions. This draft law, called the First Amendment Defense Act, would be designed “to prevent discriminatory treatment of any person on the basis of views held with respect to marriage.”

While we didn’t get the results we wished for last year, we’re doubling our efforts to alleviate the financial burden parents in our community face in confronting the difficulties paying for tuition.

With G-d’s help, we hope to bring good news soon.

00000