by Tablet Staff
The New York State Catholic Conference has expressed hope that private school choice could expand across the state next year after Gov. Kathy Hochul reportedly said she intends to opt in to a new federal program.
Effective on Jan. 1, 2027, the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program allows anyone who pays federal taxes to claim a dollar-for-dollar credit of up to $1,700 for donations made to Scholarship Granting Organizations. However, it’s up to each governor to choose to opt in to the program.
At a private gathering of Orthodox Jewish leaders on May 7, Hochul reportedly said she intends to do so. If that intention holds, she would be the second Democratic governor — Colorado’s Jared Polis was the first — to greenlight the program.
“We are very encouraged by the reports that [Gov. Kathy Hochul] intends to opt in the federal scholarship tax credit!” The New York State Catholic Conference wrote in a May 8 statement. “We pray that it comes to pass, for the sake of all of our state’s children, wherever they attend school.”
Emma Wallner, a spokesperson for Hochul, confirmed to The Tablet that the governor supports the program, but poured cold water on the idea that it’s a done deal.
“Governor Hochul is supportive of the federal tax credit scholarship and its potential to help New York students and schools,” Wallner said. “Our office awaits information from the federal government on the program and will thoroughly review the details of the policy for poison pills that could harm New York’s education system.”
Responding to Hochul’s comments, Bishop Robert Brennan said he was encouraged to hear that she was considering opting in.
“We are heartened to hear the news of the Governor’s intention to opt into the Federal Tax Credit,” Bishop Brennan said in a statement. “Many students and families here in Brooklyn and Queens are counting on scholarships more than ever.”
John Notaro, executive director of Futures in Education, noted that the program “could unlock tens of millions of dollars in new scholar funding each year.” Futures in Education is a nonprofit that covers tuition for approximately 3,000 students in Catholic schools and academies in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
“Now is a critical moment. Thoughtful, respectful engagement can help ensure the Governor follows through by officially opting New York into the program,” Notaro said in a May 8 statement. “We encourage you to visit nyscatholic.org and urge Governor Hochul to make New York’s opt‑in official so these dollars can benefit New York students and families.”
Senator Ted Cruz, who authored the bill, said Hochul’s openness to opting New York into the program is a “massive victory” for the state’s students.
“I was proud to author this landmark school choice bill — the largest in American history — and now millions of NY kids will benefit,” Cruz said in a statement.
Under FSTC, people can donate to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which are nonprofit groups that award scholarships to eligible students — mostly from lower-income families — to help pay for private school.
However, if Hochul does not opt in, donors will be unable to get the new tax credit for donating to a state SGO. In that case, New York taxpayers will only receive the credit if they donate to an approved out-of-state SGO.
Proponents of Catholic education clamor for Hochul to join the program.
Deacon Kevin McCormack, superintendent of diocesan schools, has touted the positive impact FSTC could have locally. Specifically, he said funds from the program could bring vast improvements to Catholic school affordability.
“We have 1.5 million Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens,” he explained. “Let’s say we get a fraction of that. You can do the math — 100,000 people giving $1,700 is a significant amount of money.
“And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”