Congresswoman Tenney Leads NY House Republicans in Urging Governor Hochul to Opt New York Into Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today led a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul urging the state to opt in to a new federal tax credit program created under H.R. 1 to expand access to education scholarships for low and middle-income families.
Additional signers of the letter include Reps. Nick LaLota (NY-1), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Michael Lawler (NY-17), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), and Elise Stefanik (NY-21).
H.R. 1 created a new federal tax credit allowing individuals to receive up to $1,700 for donations to eligible scholarship-granting organizations. These nonprofits must award scholarships to at least 10 elementary or secondary students and direct no less than 90% of donated funds toward scholarships. The program supports low and middle-income families and does not divert any state funding from public schools. However, states must formally opt in for residents and organizations to participate. To date, 28 governors have already opted in or announced plans to do so. Without action from Governor Hochul, New York families and scholarship organizations will be excluded.
“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,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “H.R. 1 created a commonsense incentive for private donations to support scholarships without taking a single dollar away from public schools. In fact, this program can be used to support public school students to ensure they have the supplies they need to succeed. Opting in to this program would unlock new opportunities for students across our state, and the program ensures that only low and middle-income families can access these scholarships. I urge Governor Hochul to ensure New Yorkers can benefit from this program and that a child’s ZIP code or family income does not limit their future.”
Read the full letter here.
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