New York is facing a major decision about the future of public school funding.
Governor Hochul is weighing whether to opt New York into a new federal tax credit voucher program, established under the Trump administration’s domestic policy law. If the state opts in, public tax dollars would be redirected to help subsidize private school tuition, potentially reducing resources available to the public schools that serve roughly 90 percent of New York’s children.
The issue has drawn significant attention statewide. A coalition of more than 60 organizations, including teachers unions, has raised concerns about the program’s impact on public school funding. A statewide poll conducted by NYSUT found that a majority of New York voters oppose the state opting in, and fifteen members of New York’s Democratic congressional delegation have also written to the Governor about the proposal.
For those interested in learning more or sharing their views with the Governor’s office, the advocacy group New Yorkers for Public Schools has put together information and a way to submit a message:
https://newyorkersforpublicschools.org/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=chalkbeat
Updates on this issue will continue to be shared as it develops.
ESSAA Advocacy Team
