Gov. Hochul Opts New York Into Trump's Federal School Voucher Program

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday that the state will participate in President Trump's federal school voucher program, setting up a clash with teachers unions and elected officials who have strongly opposed the initiative.

The Democratic governor first voiced support for the Republican-led program, structured as a federal tax credit, in May, but said her office was waiting for final regulations to ensure there were no "poison pills" before New York legally opted in. Those rules were published last week.

"After a careful review of the federal regulations, we believe this program has the potential to bring millions of additional dollars to New York students and families without taking a single dollar from public schools or our state or local budgets," Hochul said in a statement.

The program, championed by President Trump as a centerpiece of his education agenda, allows families to use federal tax credits to offset private school tuition and other educational expenses. Supporters argue it expands school choice for families in underserved districts, while opponents contend it diverts resources from public education and undermines the public school system.

New York's decision to opt in carries particular significance given the state's size and the political alignment of its Democratic governor with a GOP federal program. The move has drawn immediate criticism from the New York State United Teachers union, which has vowed to fight the implementation.

Hochul's office emphasized that the decision includes safeguards to protect public school funding, noting that participation does not redirect existing state education dollars.

Reporting by the New York Daily News. Read the original report: Gov. Hochul opts NY into Trump's federal school voucher program.