Labor defies UFT in parochial $chool war

Publicemployee unions are joining Timothy Cardinal Dolan in an allout appeal to the Democraticled state Assembly to aid financially struggling parochial schools and parents.

Gov. Cuomo’s education income-tax-credit plan would provide a 75 percent tax credit for donations of up to $ 1 million to finance scholarship funds for students attending faithbased or other private schools.

The bill, which is supported by the Republicanrun state Senate, would also provide a tax credit of up to $ 500 to families with income under $ 60,000 who have children in parochial schools.

“It is time— past time, really— for this to be passed,” Dolan told The Post. “[ T] hose parents who are anxiously waiting and hoping for a scholarship to send their child to the school of their choosing deserve good news.”

The teachers union and its allies fiercely oppose the EITC as diverting public dollars from public schools and providing a lucrative tax break to wealthy donors who don’t need it. And the union’s Democratic allies in the Assembly have refused to take up the measure heading into the final week of the legislative session.

But other unions have broken ranks.

“Our newly created scholarship fund is entirely dependent on contributions. Anything we can do to encourage and reward people for participating in this great cause can help our members directly,” said Thomas Munger, president of the state troopers PBA.

James Lemonda, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association of New York City, said, “Our scholarship fund is always under financial strain, so we support legislation that provides tax benefits that would encourage contributions.”

Other labor groups that joined the Investined. org coalition include Local 32BJ/ Service Employees International Union, Operating Engineers Local 30, Iron Workers Local 361, Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association Local 831 and the city’s PBA.

For his part, Cuomo on Sunday proposed a separate $ 100 million emergency fund to aid struggling upstate urban school districts.

While praising the fund, public school advocates said its passage should not be linked to the EITC.

“He is trying to sweeten the pot to secure Assembly votes in support. But it must stand on its own merits,” said Billy Easton of the unionbacked Alliance for Quality Education.

It is time — past time, really — for this to beb passed . . . Parents . . . deserve good news. Timothy Cardinal Card Dolan on the education incometax credit plan proposed by Gov. Cuomo ( left)