Gov Hochul's plan to opt New York into federal school choice program draws union opposition

New York Teachers Unions to Protest Governor Hochul’s Move to Join Federal Tax‑Credit Scholarship Program

New York City, NY – On Wednesday, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) headquarters in Manhattan will host a rally organized by a coalition of teachers unions and allied groups, demanding that Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to opt New York into the federal tax‑credit scholarship program be abandoned. The protest follows a statement from Teach Coalition CEO Sydney Altfield, who said the program is being misrepresented by critics as a voucher system that would siphon funds from public schools.

What the Program Is and Why It Is Controversial

The federal tax‑credit scholarship framework allows state governors to participate in a national scheme that lets individuals and corporations receive federal tax credits for contributions to non‑profit scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). The credits are intended to fund scholarships that can be used at private schools or other educational options. Unlike traditional voucher programs that pull money directly out of local school budgets, tax credits redirect a portion of taxpayers’ federal liability to SGOs, which then decide how to allocate the scholarship funds.

Proponents argue the credits expand educational choice and give parents the means to support after‑school, tutoring, or summer enrichment programs that may have been beyond their financial reach. Opponents, however, maintain that the money ultimately ends up in private schools, thereby diverting resources that could strengthen public education. They point to fiscal shortfalls in states such as Florida, Arizona, and Colorado—where school choice initiatives have been linked to budget deficits—to warn that New York could face similar consequences.

Governor Hochul’s Position

Emma Wallner, a spokesperson for Governor Hochul, said in a May interview that the governor “is supportive of the federal tax credit scholarship and its potential to help New York students and schools.” Wallner added that her office is “awaiting information from the federal government on the program and will thoroughly review the details of the policy for poison pills that could harm New York’s education system.” The governor’s plan would bring New York into the program in 2027, making it the 30th state to join.

Union Opposition and the Planned Protest

The protest is organized by the UFT, the New York State Union of Teachers (NYSUT), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and other affiliated unions. The groups have launched a public petition that urges state leadership to reject Hochul’s decision. The petition claims that “tax dollars would help pay private tuition for families who never used public schools,” and cites fiscal challenges in other states that expanded school choice models: “Florida couldn’t account for $270 million in voucher funds in a single year. Arizona’s $65 M plan became a $1.4 billion budget hole—cutting water, highways, and community colleges.”

Union officials say the petition’s language is “purely rhetorical,” pointing out that the labels “Education Savings Accounts,” “tax‑credit scholarships,” and “school choice” all describe the same mechanism: public money flowing to private schools. They also argue that labeling the program a voucher is misleading, because a voucher system draws directly from public school budgets, whereas a tax credit does not. “What we know as a voucher is when you take public funding from the public school system and you allow it to follow the child— which works in many states — but that’s not what this is,” Altfield explained.

Teach Coalition’s Defense

Teach Coalition CEO Sydney Altfield told Fox News Digital on Monday that opponents of the program are “spreading lies and the misinformation about this program on to anyone who will hear them.” She added: “But the people who actually want to help children, the people who actually want to see children succeed, they’re not going to listen. They’re going to understand that this is not the truth of what this program actually can do.” Altfield emphasized that the money “does not come out of state budgets. It does not come out of state public school resources. These buckets remain untouched.” She also clarified that “private school parents and students can access this funding, but they also forget to tell you that public school students can also get this funding and get these scholarships.”

The union FAQ page argues that funds flow to SGOs rather than directly to families, and that the SGOs are not required to be transparent or accountable to the public. Critics contend that private schools funded through SGOs can select which students to admit, potentially excluding those with disabilities or other needs. Altfield denies that public school operational budgets would suffer under the program, stating that “public school students can also get this funding and get these scholarships.”

Context and Broader Implications

The debate over school choice has long been a third‑rail issue in American politics. Traditionally, Democratic lawmakers have opposed school choice initiatives, arguing they divert resources away from public schools and undermine teachers unions. However, several high‑profile Democrats have shifted their positions. Colorado Governor Jared Polis became the first Democratic governor to opt his state into the federal program in January 2026, asserting that the credits empower parents to afford enrichment programs previously out of reach. Despite these arguments, major labor groups remain opposed, citing examples of fiscal shortfalls in other states.

The Protest

The rally at UFT headquarters is scheduled for Wednesday, and union members are expected to carry signs and read from the petition. The protest will also serve to raise awareness among New York residents about the program, which many say have not even heard of. The unions hope to pressure Governor Hochul’s office to reconsider, emphasizing the potential impact on public school funding and the broader educational landscape.

Response from the Governor’s Office

The New York State Union of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers and United Federation of Teachers have not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Meanwhile, Governor Hochul’s office has reiterated its commitment to reviewing the federal policy for any provisions that could harm New York’s public schools, while also acknowledging the potential benefits of expanded educational choice.

The outcome of the protest and the governor’s eventual decision on the tax‑credit scholarship program will have implications not only for New York’s teachers and students but also for the broader national debate over school choice and public education funding.