Hochul opted into Trump’s school tax credit. Who will benefit in Central NY?
(Syracuse.com | Nov. 11, 2026) Central New York’s schools have the potential to attract more money from private donors beginning in 2027.
On Oct. 9, Gov. Kathy Hochul opted New York State into the federal scholarship tax credit program, which was established in [H.R. 1 (2025)]. It’s touted as a way for private and public schools to earn extra dollars. But critics say it is a private school voucher program in disguise.
The tax credits allow single taxpayers to donate to scholarship-granting organizations and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. Single filers can get up to $1,700 back and married couples up to $3,400. States have to opt in to participate in the program, which begins Jan. 1, 2027.
Scholarship granting organizations, also called SGOs, are meant to primarily support private schools but public schools are also able to join or create their own SGOs …
… Opponents say the scholarship tax credit is another step towards privatizing education, according to Syracuse University professor George Theoharis. There are fears it will segregate schools and give families with means more money to pay for a private education.
“The notion that this is also good for public schools on its face is sleight of hand,” Theoharis said. “It’s taking public money to people who probably are already affording private school or already affording religious school and saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to reduce what you pay’” …