A coalition representing religious private school parents and public school families is intensifying its efforts to persuade New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to participate in a federal tax-credit program designed to provide "freedom scholarships." The program, part of legislation signed by former President Trump, could make over 2.7 million students in New York eligible for educational assistance.
Scholarships for All NY, also known as Teach Coalition, has launched a six-figure advertising campaign across digital and print media statewide. This initiative aims to counter opposition from influential teachers' unions, which argue the program would divert funds from public schools.
"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. "Public school parents, nonpublic school parents, charter school advocates, businesses, community leaders, faith communities and organizations from across New York are united in support." Altfield added that her group is encouraging the governor to act swiftly once federal regulations are finalized.
Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, stated, "We’re giving Gov. Hochul air support to opt-in into the program."
Advocates report that 31 states, encompassing 31 million students, have already joined the school choice initiative. The federal program offers a 100% tax credit for annual donations up to $1,700 to approved scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations can then offer scholarships to students, which can be used for tuition at parochial schools.
According to advocates, public school students are also eligible to receive scholarships for tutoring, after-school programs, or transportation. Lihua Li, a public school parent from Queens, expressed her support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to help cover costs for after-school programs that allow working parents to manage their schedules.
However, the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) union has organized a coalition called New Yorkers for Public Schools. This group is urging Gov. Hochul to reject participation, characterizing the tax credit as a privatization or "voucher" scheme that could lead to an exodus from public schools.
A sample letter from NYSUT's campaign 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."
Governor Hochul's office has indicated her support for the program, with a spokesperson stating, "Governor Hochul is supportive of the federal tax credit scholarship and its potential to help New York students and schools." The office is awaiting further information from the federal government to review the policy's details.
Altfield of Teach Coalition addressed concerns about the program, stating, "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."