Education Freedom Tax Credit

Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is launching a conservative policy group called Empowering America’s Parents to promote the Education Freedom Tax Credit. The group plans to target 20 states, including Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, with a campaign to raise awareness about the tax credit program, which allows taxpayers to donate up to $1,700 for scholarships.

Former Virginia Gov. Youngkin has launched a new conservative policy group named Empowering America's Parents, which aims to expand awareness about the Education Freedom Tax Credit.

51.7 million U.S. children in public, private, and charter schools are eligible for a federal Education Freedom Tax Credit scholarship, but California has not opted into the program despite having the most eligible students (nearly 6 million). The American Federation for Children, a private school choice advocacy group, analyzed the data, and 31 states have joined the program, including New York and Colorado.

Pennsylvania private education leaders and Republican lawmakers are urging the state to join a federal school choice program offering tax credits. The program, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, allows up to $1,700 tax credits for donations to approved scholarship organizations, with 27 states already participating. Governor Josh Shapiro has not yet committed, citing a lack of federal guidance, while Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Senator Dave McCormick advocate for Pennsylvania's inclusion.

The new Education Freedom Tax Credit allows taxpayers to claim a dollar-for-dollar credit up to $1,700 for donating to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs), which can fund both private and public school scholarships. Advocates argue this could benefit public schools by attracting taxpayer support, while critics warn it may divert funds from public education to private institutions.