Former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has criticized 20 Democratic governors across the United States for what he describes as blocking access to educational opportunities through the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC). Youngkin asserts that these governors are preventing more than 20 million students from accessing "life-changing education opportunities" by not opting into the program.
Youngkin, who championed Virginia as the first state to adopt the EFTC, stated that the program allows parents to donate up to $1,700 to scholarship-granting organizations and receive a federal tax credit. These funds can then be used for K-12 scholarships covering tutoring, online classes, services for students with disabilities, transportation, and private school tuition, even for students in public schools.
He specifically named Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as governors who have "stood in the way of America’s education freedom." Youngkin also noted that New York Governor Kathy Hochul has stated her intention to opt in but has not yet taken binding action.
According to Youngkin, the EFTC does not divert funds from public schools, does not create new taxes, and if a state does not opt in by January 1, 2027, its taxpayers' contributions will go to participating states.
Youngkin highlighted Arizona, where he claims Governor Hobbs has vetoed legislative efforts to join the program three times, thereby preventing 1.1 million students from accessing scholarships. He also pointed to Pennsylvania, where, he stated, Governor Shapiro has blocked access for 1.8 million students.
Youngkin founded the organization Empowering America's Parents, which aims to encourage all governors to opt into the EFTC and to secure commitments from gubernatorial candidates to support the program. He urged residents in states that have not opted in to visit www.empowerparents.us to learn their state's status and advocate for their governor to join the program.