As states decide whether to participate in the new federal scholarship tax credit program, Pioneer Institute is urging Governor Healey to ensure Massachusetts families are not left behind.
In a letter to the governor, Executive Director Jim Stergios notes that governors from blue states, including most recently New York Governor Kathy Hochul, have already moved to participate in the program. Massachusetts students and families should not be denied the same opportunity. The program would allow taxpayers to receive federal tax credits for contributions to approved scholarship organizations, helping families pay for tutoring, special education services, literacy support, transportation, dual-enrollment courses, after-school programs, microschools, homeschooling expenses, and independent school tuition.
Because the program is funded through federal tax credits rather than the state budget, participation would bring new educational resources to Massachusetts without reducing Chapter 70 aid or cutting public school funding. Stergios warns that if Massachusetts declines to participate, taxpayers here could end up supporting educational opportunities in other states while Massachusetts students and families receive none of the benefit.
