Gov. Kathy Hochul says New York could participate in a federal scholarship tax credit program if public school students can benefit, a shift in a debate over whether the state should take part.
In a statement from her office, Hochul said her administration reviewed federal regulations and believes the program could bring additional money to New York students and families without drawing from public school funding or state and local budgets. The statement did not set a participation date or describe a final state enrollment step.
āIām not going to leave money on the table when it could help our kids,ā Hochul said. She said she has spoken with business leaders who committed to use the program to support public school students and their academic needs.
Public schools remain the condition
Hochul said she had made New Yorkās participation conditional on all schools and students, including those in public schools, being able to benefit. Her latest statement indicates the administration believes the federal rules could satisfy that condition, but it does not explain how money would be distributed or which students would qualify.
The governor said she plans to work with education leaders statewide to get resources to students in every community. She did not identify those leaders, a timetable or a funding amount in the statement.
Hochul also defended her public-school record, saying state school funding has increased by more than $10 billion during her tenure and that Foundation Aid has been fully funded for the first time. Those are the governorās characterizations of her budget record, not new appropriations announced in this statement.
Her statement follows a public debate over state participation in the federal program. Whether and how New York moves forward remains to be specified.
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