New York joins federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the state up for the Trump administration’s school choice initiative, known as the Education Freedom Tax Credit. The program, scheduled to launch on January 1, 2027, allows individual taxpayers to receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations made to private and non-profit scholarship-granting organizations.

The decision comes despite opposition from a coalition of teachers unions and public school advocates. Opponents launched a petition demanding the governor reject the program, arguing that funds would benefit private school students rather than supporting children in the public school system.

Governor Hochul stated she could not ‘leave money on the table when it could help our kids’ and emphasized her ongoing commitment to public education, noting that the state has increased school funding by more than $10 billion. She indicated she would work with education leaders to ensure resources reach students in all communities.