Owens, Colleagues Call on Governors to Deliver Nationwide School Choice

WASHINGTON — House Education and Workforce Committee Vice Chair Burgess Owens (UT-04) joined Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI), Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE), and Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) in sending letters to all 50 governors and the mayor of Washington, D.C., urging them to opt in to the nation’s first federal scholarship tax credit program, enacted through the Working Families Tax Cuts. 

The letters call on governors to allow students, parents, and scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) in their states to participate in this new initiative.

Key excerpts of the letter include: 

…

This innovative credit will unlock billions of private dollars to fund scholarships for K-12 students across the country, including in your state.

…

Importantly, this tax credit complements existing state-level education programs. It will
not impact federal or state education funding or diminish public schools. Instead, it gives families more options—whether in public or private, religious or non-religious settings—and allows students to either pursue new opportunities or enrich their current education.

…

While the tax credit officially launches on Jan. 1, 2027, it is important for states to opt in early to provide certainty to students and SGOs.

Background: 

• On July 4, 2025, a provision included in the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, based on the Educational Choice for Children Act, championed by Rep. Owens, became the first federal school choice program ever enacted into law.
• The program allows individuals and businesses to receive a federal tax credit for donations to certified scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs). These SGOs then award scholarships to K–12 students for educational expenses such as private tuition, tutoring, special-needs services, and learning materials.
• States must opt in and designate participating SGOs annually. The credit officially launches January 1, 2027, but early participation ensures students and SGOs have the certainty needed to plan.
• This program does not impact federal or state education funding, nor does it diminish support for public schools, instead, it provides families more options and fosters innovation, excellence, and accountability across all school systems.

###