House Republicans from New York are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to enroll the state in a federal tax credit scholarship initiative, despite its opposition from the influential teachers union.
Governor Hochul, a Democrat, has yet to agree to participate in the program, which proposes a tax credit of up to $1,700 for individuals donating to scholarship organizations. These scholarships aim to assist some of New York’s most disadvantaged students.
In a letter dated February 5, Representative Claudia Tenney, supported by fellow Republican Representatives Nicole Malliotakis, Nick LaLota, Mike Lawler, Nick Langworthy, and Elise Stefanik, appealed to Hochul. “By participating in this program, Governor Hochul can ensure New York families have broader educational choices,” the letter stated.
The Republican-backed federal initiative is slated to commence next January. It offers tax incentives to donors contributing to scholarships for both private and public school students within their states. Eligible students come from families earning less than 300% of their area’s median income.
In New York, potential donations could amount to hundreds of millions, but without Hochul’s approval, taxpayers won’t benefit from these contributions.
Tenney emphasized in her letter that the law fosters private donations for scholarships without diverting funds from public schools, thus creating a beneficial incentive for all involved.
The letter pointed out to Hochul that 28 other governors have already opted their states into the program, including Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who said, “I would be crazy not to [opt-in].”
“We believe in the right of every student and parent to make choices about what is best for their education,” the letter stated. “A family’s ZIP code or income level should never limit their children’s educational opportunities.
“We hope you will stand with parents and students by opting in to this program expeditiously, and we look forward to hearing your decision.”
Hochul is seeking re-election to a second full, four-year term in November, and her Republican opponent Bruce Blakeman has already slammed her for not signing New York up for the scholarship program.
But Hochul’s office last month said the governor simply still has not yet made a decision on whether to join the program and is awaiting more guidance from the Trump administration.
“While this proposal doesn’t take effect until 2027, it’s surprising that the federal government continues to fail to share any policy details with states,” a Hochul spokesperson said.
“Governor Hochul is supportive of anything that would help students and schools, but given this administration’s record of including poison pills in policies, the state needs to thoroughly review the proposal before making.”
The program doesn’t take effect until the beginning of 2027, so federal money is not being jeopardized, the governor’s rep previously said.
The program is supported by the New York State Catholic Conference and Arne Duncan, who served as US Secretary of Education under former President Barack Obama.
But the powerful teachers union flunked the tax-credit scholarship program.
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten blasted the tax credit as a “permanent school voucher scheme” in a Dec. 22 letter to the IRS.
“We should be working to strengthen, not abandon, our public schools,” wrote Weingarten, who used to head the AFT New York City teachers’ union local.
