Can the new federal voucher program help public schools? Democrats are torn
Democratic governors are divided over whether to participate in a new federal school choice program that offers tax credits for private school tuition. While some see it as a way to fund public school needs, others fear it undermines public education by diverting taxpayer dollars.
Why it matters
The decision highlights a significant ideological rift within the Democratic party regarding the role of private school vouchers in public education policy.
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Democrats and public school advocates have until the end of the year to make a tough decision: Whether to embrace a Republican program that might help some public-school families pay for things like tutoring and summer school – even if it will also pour taxpayer dollars into private schools.
Colorado's Jared Polis was the first Democratic governor to opt in to the coming Federal Scholarship Tax Credit , a new program the Trump administration is calling "America's first nationwide school choice program."
"An obvious decision," says Polis of his choice to embrace the policy that, with the help of a generous tax credit, could raise billions of dollars in taxpayer donations nationwide.
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