A statewide alliance of parents connected to religious and private schools is intensifying its push for Gov. Kathy Hochul to join a new federal tax-credit scholarship program, a move supporters say could open the door to “freedom scholarships” for more than 2.7 million New York students.
Hochul has previously indicated that New York would take part in the Education Freedom Tax Credit, a school choice measure approved by Congress and signed by President Trump through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” But after that signal of support, the powerful teachers’ union began pressing the governor to reconsider.
In response, Scholarships for All NY — also known as Teach Coalition — is launching a six-figure advertising blitz across digital platforms and print news outlets throughout the state. The group represents Jewish and Catholic schools, as well as families in the public school system.
“This campaign is a broad alliance coming together behind one simple goal: encouraging Governor Hochul to opt into the Education Freedom Tax Credit,” said Sydney Altfield, CEO of Teach Coalition, who represents Jewish schools and yeshivas and serves as one of the effort’s leading voices.
Altfield said the coalition’s support stretches well beyond private and religious education circles. “Public school parents, nonpublic school parents, charter school advocates, businesses, community leaders, faith communities and organizations from across New York are united in support,” she said. “Governor Hochul has already voiced her support for the opt-in, and we’re encouraging her to move quickly once the federal regulations are finalized.”
Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, described the campaign as a way to reinforce the governor’s position. “We’re giving Gov. Hochul air support to opt-in into the program,” he said.
Supporters of the school choice initiative say 31 states, representing about 31 million students nationwide, have already chosen to participate — including the 2.7 million students advocates say would be eligible in New York.
Under the program, donors can receive a 100% federal tax credit for contributions of up to $1,700 per year to approved scholarship-granting organizations, according to the US Department of Education.
The nonprofit groups would then offer scholarships, which students in parochial schools could use to defray tuition costs.
Public school students are also eligible for scholarships to cover tutoring, after-school programs or transportation costs, advocates said.
A Queens public school parent,: Lihua Li, supports the scholarship initiative to help pay for after-school programs.
“I work full-time, and my workday often ends later than my younger son’s school day. Without a safe, affordable after-school program, I simply would not have a reliable place for him to go until I can pick him up,” Li said.
The influential New York State United Teachers union claims the tax credit amounts to a privatization or “voucher” scheme that will spur an exodus from public schools.
NYSUT is heading its own coalition — New Yorkers for Public Schools — that’s pushing a letter-writing campaign urging Hochul not to have New York opt in.
“New York faces a choice: whether to opt into a new federal tax credit voucher program that would redirect public tax dollars to subsidize private school tuition,” the sample letter on the group’s website states.
“This federal scheme threatens to defund our public schools; the very schools that serve 90 percent of our children and are the centers of our communities. Public dollars belong in public schools,” it says.
“Governor Hochul, I urge you to oppose New York’s participation in a program that would starve our schools, subsidize private tuition and break a promise to every New York child.”
A Hochul rep recently told The Post that the governor, a Democrat who is seeking re-election this fall to a second, four-your term, backs the scholarship progam.
“Governor Hochul is supportive of the federal tax credit scholarship and its potential to help New York students and schools,” a Hochul spokesperson said.
“Our office awaits information from the federal government on the program and will thoroughly review the details of the policy for poison pills that could harm New York’s education system.”
Altfied, of Teach Coalition, said there’s been a “great deal of misinformation” about the tax credit program.
“Every child deserves the support they need to succeed, and this initiative helps make that possible. No federal education dollars intended to benefit New York’s children should be left unused,” she said.
“This group is coming together to support Governor Hochul’s decision, encourage her to opt in as soon as the regulations are released, and make sure the focus remains where it belongs — on New York’s kids.”
