(JTA) — Orthodox Jewish community leaders in Texas met with senior state officials including Gov. Rick Perry, who expressed support for a tax-credit program for schools.
The April 29 meeting, under the auspices of the Orthodox Union’s Institute for Public Affairs, included business leaders from the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio areas, rabbinic leaders and OU staff to discuss hot-button issues with the governor, including implementing a corporate tax credit program that would generate scholarship funds and creating opportunity for the nonprofit sector to receive energy retrofit incentives.
Perry expressed his support for these issues as well as for a potential tax credit program for schools, the Institute for Public Affairs said in a news release.
Meeting participants thanked Perry for his strong commitment to Israel and for leading the charge on divesting state funds from Iran.
The OU also met with state House Speaker Joe Straus and the chiefs of staff of both Attorney General Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.
"We must remain an unwavering supporter of a strong Jewish state in the Middle East, and I also look forward to continue building on the good relationship we have by working together to address issues important to the Jewish community here in Texas," Perry said.
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