Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is pressing Governor Kathy Hochul to opt New York into a new federal tax credit program designed to expand access to education scholarships. Tenney led a letter signed by several New York House Republicans calling on the governor to take action.
Reps. Nick LaLota, Nicole Malliotakis, Michael Lawler, Nick Langworthy, and Elise Stefanik also signed the letter.
H.R. 1 created a federal tax credit that allows individuals to receive up to $1,700 for donations to eligible scholarship-granting organizations. Those nonprofits must award scholarships to at least 10 elementary or secondary students and direct no less than 90% of donated funds toward scholarships.
Lawmakers say the program supports low and middle-income families and does not divert any state funding from public schools. States must formally opt in before residents and organizations can participate.
So far, 28 governors have opted in or announced plans to do so. If Hochul does not act, New York families and scholarship organizations will not have access to the program.
“By opting in to this program, Governor Hochul can ensure that New York families are not locked out of an opportunity to expand educational options,” Tenney said. “H.R. 1 created a commonsense incentive for private donations to support scholarships without taking a single dollar away from public schools. In fact, this program can be used to support public school students to ensure they have the supplies they need to succeed. Opting in to this program would unlock new opportunities for students across our state, and the program ensures that only low and middle-income families can access these scholarships. I urge Governor Hochul to ensure New Yorkers can benefit from this program and that a child’s ZIP code or family income does not limit their future.”
The governor has not yet announced whether New York will opt in.
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