NY GOP Pushes Hochul to Join Federal Scholarship Tax-Break Program

Republican lawmakers urge governor to opt in despite opposition from teachers' union

Feb. 17, 2026 at 5:55pm

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New York's House Republicans are demanding that Governor Kathy Hochul opt the state into a federal tax credit scholarship program that would give taxpayers a break for donations to organizations providing scholarships to students. The program has drawn criticism from the powerful teachers' union, but GOP lawmakers argue it would expand educational options without taking funds from public schools.

Why it matters

The tax-credit scholarship program is a key policy priority for the Republican Party, which sees it as a way to provide more school choice options. However, teachers' unions have fiercely opposed such programs, viewing them as a threat to public education. Hochul's decision on whether to join the program could have significant political implications as she seeks re-election.

The details

The federal program, set to take effect in January 2027, would allow taxpayers to receive a tax break of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. Eligibility for the scholarships would be limited to students from families with incomes below 300% of their area's median income. While 28 other states have already opted into the program, Hochul has not yet made a decision, saying she is awaiting more guidance from the federal government.

  • The federal tax-credit scholarship program is set to take effect in January 2027.
  • Hochul is seeking re-election to a second full, four-year term in November 2026.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Democratic governor of New York who has so far refused to sign the state onto the federal tax-credit scholarship program.

Claudia Tenney

A Republican U.S. Representative from New York who led a letter urging Hochul to opt into the program.

Randi Weingarten

The president of the American Federation of Teachers, the powerful teachers' union that has criticized the tax-credit scholarship program as a "permanent school voucher scheme."

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Claudia Tenney, U.S. Representative (New York Post)

“We should be working to strengthen, not abandon, our public schools.”

— Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers (New York Post)

What’s next

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