Thanks to the Big Beautiful Tax Bill, starting in tax year 2027, all American taxpayers will be able to claim a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $1700 for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. Anyone can claim the tax credit, but the scholarships can only be given out to low-income kids in states that opt in.

The map below shows that there are still more than a dozen blue states that have refused to opt in. Amazingly, the governors in these states are turning down FREE money for poor children to pick better schools.

Let us say this again loud and clear: the program doesn’t take a dime away from the public schools and provides more overall money for education in their state, and they STILL don’t want it.

So why opt out? Two word answer: teachers unions.

Many on the Left care more about hoarding teachers union contributions than ensuring that poor and minority children have access to an excellent education.

After New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that NY would join the school choice program, the unions went ape.

Last week, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten warned Hochul to “opt out right now” because scholarships will “leav[e] the most vulnerable children behind.” That’s a preposterous statement given that less than half of New York City public school students have basic proficiency in English.

Unfortunately, in the public schools these days 50 percent is a passing grade.