Tell Governor Gavin Newsom: Please Open the Way for Educational Scholarships for California Families

California Governor Gavin Newsom. PHOTO CREDIT: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

​Congress recently passed the first federal education tax credit, providing billions of dollars to scholarship-granting organizations that support tuition, tutoring, special-needs resources, school supplies, and technology for both public and private school students.

Under the law, states must formally and affirmatively choose to accept these scholarship funds. More than two dozen have already done so, while California remains undecided. Jared Polis, the Democratic governor of Colorado, put it bluntly: “I would be crazy not to” opt in. But to date, fellow Democratic Governor Newsom has not yet indicated whether California will follow suit.

The program would allow individual California taxpayers to receive dollar-for-dollar tax credits on their federal tax returns, up to $1,700 a year for contributions to K-12 scholarship organizations. Moreover, if the governor opts in, California parents will be able to more fully realize the potential of living in a First Amendment society, by freely choosing a school that best reflects their values. Whether that choice is a science-based academy, an arts school, or a religious school, all are subject to existing state standards in education.

Please tell Gov. Newsom that California should opt in to this federal tax credit before the program's January 1, 2027, deadline. Doing so:

• Will not divert money from the State of California or public-school budgets
  
  
• Will serve students in both public and private schools
  
  
• Will improve educational outcomes for California and give our children a better shot at a great future – without encouraging families to move to states where such scholarships are accepted

Democrats for Education Reform late last year released a poll showing that nearly two-thirds of voters – 64 percent – favor Gov. Newsom opting into these scholarships. Only 19 percent oppose opting in.

The majority includes 61 percent of Democrats, 68 percent of Hispanic voters, and 63 percent of African-American voters.

Support for California’s inclusion is widespread, bipartisan, and intense.

“Every day, we see how much a scholarship expands educational options and can change a child’s life,” says Rachel Elginsmith, CEO of the BASIC Fund. “Families aren’t asking for politics, they’re asking for opportunity. California can lead the way by saying yes to a program that empowers parents, expands access, and keeps much-needed resources here at home.”

“California must say yes,” says Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA). “It's time to unlock opportunity for families and put parents first.”
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It would be a mistake to forgo this unique opportunity for California’s children. If you agree that the state’s families deserve more educational opportunity, contact Gov. Newsom and urge him to opt in to the federal Educational Choice for Children Act.

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