State Superintendent Tom Horne has called on Governor Katie Hobbs to include Arizona in a new federal school tax credit initiative. This program would potentially increase funding for students across public district, charter, and other educational settings.
Horne explained the benefits of the proposal, stating, “Governor Hobbs has a very simple choice to make by having the state opt-in to the new federal school tax credit that can be used by any taxpayer in the state. It benefits students in public district schools, charters and every other school setting. Therefore, there is no logical reason to oppose this.”
The proposed tax credit allows taxpayers to donate up to $1,700 annually to Scholarship Granting Organizations. These organizations could then allocate funds to cover various school expenses such as books, supplies, tutoring, special needs services, computers, tuition, fees, room and board, and transportation. These expenses align with those covered by federal Coverdell Education Savings Accounts.
Horne emphasized that adopting this program would not cost the state money but would enhance educational funding. He said, “It does not cost the state any money and would increase funding for education.”
He further urged action from Governor Hobbs: “All the governor needs to do is approve a list of scholarship organizations and submit the list to the federal government by the end of the calendar year. Failure to do so means that other states will be able to take advantage of federal tax dollars paid by Arizonans, but Arizonans will be left out. That is an avoidable tragedy, and I urge the governor to take this common-sense step toward raising more money for all Arizona students.”
Information from this article can be found here.
