Thus far, nearly all Democratic governors hesitant to opt in to the school choice tax credit have said they will make a decision once they have clarity on rules. Now they do, writes @Tommy_USA on.wsj.com/4vL8eOD

Looking forward to what will be a great conversation w/ @SenMcCormickPA, @EDSecMcMahon, and school choice advocates from Pennsylvania:

Such a shortsighted view.

The Treasury Department offered a glimpse this week of how the new federal school choice tax credit will work, giving educators and policymakers insight into the program. The American Federation for Children, which sent two representatives to a roundtable hosted by the IRS and Treasury Department Tuesday, said the new guidelines give “every governor in every state the clarity they need to opt in immediately.” “The guidance released today made clear what families and education leaders have known since the law passed: the EFTC benefits children across educational settings – public, private and even homeschool in some states,” the federation said Wednesday in a release. “Treasury will also issue clear rules to prevent misspending. With 31 states already opted in or signaling intent to do so, the remaining holdout governors must act now.”

Tommy Schultz (@Tommy_USA), CEO of the American Federation for Children (@SchoolChoiceNow), called on governors “sitting on the sidelines” to join the program. “Treasury has made clear that this tax credit will have strong safeguards against misspending, that students across educational settings can receive scholarships and that states cannot use regulatory red tape to kill this tax credit,” Schultz said. “Every family deserves access to the education that’s right for their child, and every governor who has pledged to act once the rules were clear must now do exactly that. The time to opt in is now. AFC will continue to stand with parents seeking this life-changing opportunity.”

The American Federation for Children (@SchoolChoiceNow), which sent two representatives to a roundtable hosted by the IRS and Treasury Department Tuesday, said the new guidelines give “every governor in every state the clarity they need to opt in immediately.” “The guidance released today made clear what families and education leaders have known since the law passed: the EFTC benefits children across educational settings – public, private and even homeschool in some states,” the federation said Wednesday in a release. “Treasury will also issue clear rules to prevent misspending. With 31 states already opted in or signaling intent to do so, the remaining holdout governors must act now.” More from @ReadTheLion: readlion.com/federal-guideli…

School choice changes lives. You have to watch Sam's story: youtu.be/GAkOZo-U_ww?si=ihlT…

School choice changes lives!

ICYMI: It's Time for School Choice (by @Tommy_USA for @WSJopinion)

It’s Time for School Choice by @Tommy_USA wsj.com/opinion/its-time-for… via @WSJopinion

A must-read from @Tommy_USA:

Every governor in every state should say yes to this opportunity: "The money comes through the federal tax code, not Pennsylvania’s budget. Harrisburg does not write the check. Pennsylvania taxpayers do not face a tax increase. Public school funding formulas remain intact. Yet the potential benefits are significant. Pennsylvania is home to one of the nation’s largest nonpublic educational sectors. More than 280,000 students attend private and nonpublic schools across the commonwealth. Catholic schools, Jewish day schools, Christian academies and other independent institutions have long been part of Pennsylvania’s educational landscape... For a governor who prides himself on practical solutions rather than partisan reflexes, the choice should be clear. Gov. Shapiro should opt in." Great read! jewishexponent.com/an-opport…

Statement from @nathancunneen, Texas State Director, American Federation for Children @SchoolChoiceNow: "We celebrate with the more than 102,000 Texas students and families who have now received Education Freedom Accounts and the leaders and advocates who have worked tirelessly to make this historic program a reality. This milestone underscores both the tremendous demand for educational choice in Texas and the success of the program's implementation.  The rollout of TEFA has proceeded remarkably smoothly for a first-year program of this scale, and every new round of awards means more families have the opportunity to choose the educational environment that works best for their child.  At the same time, the jaw-dropping size of the waitlist is a powerful reminder that demand still exceeds available funding. Texas families have made it clear they want more educational options. While we celebrate this milestone today, our long-term goal remains ensuring that every Texas family who wants educational choice has access to it. We look forward to continuing to build on this momentum and expanding opportunity for even more students in the years ahead."

Every state will have school choice soon

The new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit has the potential to benefit both public and charter school students in addition to private and homeschool students. More Democratic governors should follow Governor Hochul and Polis’ lead and opt in.

“Now that there is that clarity, there’s no reason left why any governor shouldn’t opt into this opportunity immediately,” said Ashling Preston, director of federal affairs for the American Federation for Children (@SchoolChoiceNow), a school choice advocacy group. More: edweek.org/policy-politics/h…

"Governors who have been waiting for information now have it. Thirty-one states have already opted in or said they will, including Democratic Govs. Jared Polis of Colorado and Kathy Hochul of New York. For governors who have said they will do so once rules are clear, it’s time to act." - @Tommy_USA for @WSJopinion