Whitmer, four other Democratic governors ask for clarity on the federal tax credit program
Did you know search engines like Google are changing the way you see news? Keep Chalkbeat’s valuable education coverage at the top of your feeds by clicking here and checking the box next to our name. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is one of five Democratic governors who are asking the treasury secretary for clarity on what they described as significant questions about the federal scholarship tax…
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined four other Democratic governors in requesting federal clarity on a scholarship tax credit program, according to a letter sent on October 22. The five governors, who include Democratic leaders from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and California, expressed concerns about the program's potential impact on public school funding and resources.
The program allows taxpayers to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which can then use those donations to provide educational expenses for students. The governors asked for clarification on several key aspects of the program, including whether it would provide meaningful opportunities for public school students and how it could avoid diverting resources from public education systems.
They also sought information about oversight, allowable expenses for students, federal funds for compliance costs, waste, fraud, and abuse handling, and steps to ensure low-income students have access to scholarship dollars. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel had previously expressed concerns that the program might violate the state's constitution, as it could involve using public funds to support private schools.
Thirty-one states have already opted into the program, with Michigan being one of the 19 states yet to decide. The governors requested this information by January 1, 2027, to make informed decisions about participating in the program.
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