Four Governors Veto Scholarship Opt-In Bills, Kansas & Kentucky Override

Legislators in Kansas and Kentucky have approved legislation opting in to the new Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC). The legislatures in both states had to override vetoes from their governors in order to ensure that children in those jurisdictions will be able to receive scholarships through the program.

Governors in Arizona and Wisconsin also vetoed opt-in bills. Thus far, 29 states have opted in to the EFTC. The program goes live on January 1, 2027.

AFPI Releases EFTC Funding Loss Calculator

The America First Policy Institute has created a funding loss calculator to demonstrate how much money states will be missing out on if they decline to participate in the EFTC. According to AFPI, "the 23 states currently not participating are projected to forego nearly $23 billion in charitable educational donations between 2027 and 2029, resulting in more than 4.1 million lost scholarship opportunities." (This was before Kansas opted-in.)

US Senators Introduce EFTC Repeal Bill

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and 28 of their colleagues have introduced legislation in the United States Senate to repeal the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC). In their release announcing the bill, the senators refer to the EFTC as a "private school voucher program," even though it is not a voucher program and public school students are eligible for EFTC scholarships.

The title of the "Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act" appears to suggest that EFTC scholarships are funded by public dollars, however EFTC scholarships are funded by private donations, hence the need for scholarship granting organizations to raise money. The legislation is not expected to receive consideration this year.

White House Releases Proposed Budget

President Trump's proposed budget for federal education programs would keep Title I funding flat and provide increased funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The budget also proposes to consolidate various other programs into a MEGA (Make Education Great Again) block grant. Congress declined to approve a similar recommendation last year and will have the final say once again over spending.