New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signaled that she wants New York to take part in what is essentially a school voucher program thinly disguised as a tax credit for individuals donating to private school scholarship programs.
The UFT and NYSUT, its state affiliate, stand opposed to President Donald Trump’s scheme for private school vouchers and urge Hochul to opt out.
The Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program was established by Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025. Governors must opt in to the program, but if they do, beginning in January, taxpayers in participating states can donate up to $1,700 to a scholarship-granting organization and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit.
Supporters say the program is equally beneficial to private and public schools since donated funds can be used for after-school programs and tutoring. However, the result will not be equal. The program will shift millions of federal tax dollars from underfunded public schools. The congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimates the program will redirect $3 billion to private schools nationwide by 2029.
The program is a voucher scheme designed to defund and weaken public schools. Studies of existing programs show most scholarship funding benefits families that already have the money to pay thousands to send their children to private school. And whatever the dollar amount of the scholarships, it would unlikely be enough to make a dent in the cost of private school in New York, where a private elementary school in Buffalo costs $29,000 a year and one in Tarrytown costs $58,000 annually.
Private schools don’t have to accept all students and can discriminate based on disability, language, sexual preference, religion and more. New York — and its governor — must safeguard public education by steering clear of this voucher trap.