Teachers unions press New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject federal school choice program

Teachers unions and civil rights leaders have urged New York Governor Kathy Hochul to reconsider her decision to opt into a federal tax-credit scholarship program. The coalition argues that the voucher-like program could undermine public education by allowing public funds to go to private schools that may deny admission to higher-need students.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, warned Hochul that opting in would leave the most vulnerable children behind. Hochul's office maintains that the program would benefit all New York students and has increased funding for public schools. The tax credit program, approved through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will take effect in January 2027 and will allow taxpayers to donate up to $1,700 to scholarship-granting organizations for private school tuition, tutoring, and other education-related costs.

Thirty states have opted in, mostly Republican-led, while only one Democrat - Colorado Governor Jared Polis - has officially done so. Democratic governors in Kentucky, Kansas, and North Carolina overrode their governors' vetoes to opt their states into the program. Some public education advocates argue that the program could raise money for tutoring or after-school programs, but teachers unions argue that it will undermine public schools by luring away students and directing more taxpayer dollars to private schools.