New federal law offers scholarship grants for kids to use at private schools — if their state’s governor opts to allow it.
We can’t recall Gov. Kathy Hochul or any of her predecessors ever turning down free, no-strings-attached cash — but giving the thumbs-up here would risk the ire of New York’s powerful teachers unions.
Will she dare?
The program has two steps.
First, it lets taxpayers give up to $1,700 to a scholarship-granting nonprofit, trimming their federal tax liability dollar-for-dollar.
Then, it lets the charities offer grants to help kids pay for private-school tuition, books or other educational expenses — as long as the state’s governor “or other entities/individuals designated by state law” opts in.
The aid can surely help New York kids to better futures — by letting them escape low-performing public schools.
A whopping 40% of New York City kids in grades 3-8 failed this spring’s state tests in math and English (though city schools spend $37,000 a year per student, while the average private-school tuition in the state is about $22,000).
That’s why 74% of New York school parents back vouchers. And why tens of thousands of kids are on waitlists for seats at public charter schools, which are privately run.
Alas, teachers unions, which control public schools, fear losing students to schools they don’t control: It means fewer union members, reduced dues collection — and ever-shrinking teacher-union power.
So the unions hate the scholarship program, even pushing transparent lies that is somehow steals money away from public schools.
In truth, not one dime would come from New York public schools or any state tax revenue at all.
If Hochul turns down the cash, as schools expert Corey DeAngelis notes, she’ll be shooting New York in the foot: letting New York taxpayers’ donations go to help other states’ kids, while local children get bupkis.
On every other front, Hochul is devoted to maximizing federal grants to New York; along with practically every elected Democrat in the state, she’s been furiously denouncing Medicaid “cuts” that mainly amount to imposing work requirements on able-bodied beneficiaries.
If the gov blocks Empire State children from getting these scholarships, it’ll be undeniable proof that unions matter to her more than New York’s kids.