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Action Needed: Tell Your Governor to Oppose the Federal Tax Credit Voucher Program
COPAA members,
Governors across the country are making decisions right now about whether to opt into the new Federal Tax Credit Voucher Program. Your advocacy is essential to protecting students with disabilities, other marginalized students, and the public schools that serve them. You're receiving this letter because your state Governor has not yet accepted the Federal Tax Credit Voucher program.
The following states have not accepted the Federal Tax Credit Program as of early 2026:
Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin
Sign the Letter Urging Them to Oppose the Federal Tax Credit Voucher Program
This letter urges your governor to reject participation due to the program’s lack of oversight, threats to civil rights protections for students with disabilities, and the diversion of public funds away from public schools.
How to Check Your State’s Status
You can confirm whether your governor has opted in by reviewing the map here: whitehouse.gov/schoolchoice
Dear Governor,
I am writing to urge you to oppose the new federal tax‑credit voucher program established under HR 1. This program raises significant concerns for our state—both in terms of fiscal responsibility and the protection of students’ civil rights.
Several states have already declined to participate due to the lack of clear oversight, accountability, and protections for marginalized students. Based on the U.S. Treasury’s recent FAQ and the concerns raised by disability and civil rights organizations, the risks to our state are substantial.
Threats to Civil Rights Protections
There is no mechanism to ensure that students with disabilities, students facing income inequality, or other marginalized groups will be prioritized—or even included—in access to these vouchers. Many private schools do not accept students with disabilities or do so only if families waive their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Without explicit protections, families may unknowingly forfeit their child’s right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
Lack of Oversight and Accountability
State voucher programs across the country have documented widespread misuse of funds, limited transparency, and inadequate monitoring. The federal tax‑credit model provides even fewer guardrails, leaving states responsible for the consequences without providing the tools to prevent fraud or ensure compliance.
Costs to Public Schools
All voucher programs divert public dollars away from public schools. At a time when many districts are grappling with declining enrollment, staffing shortages, and school closures, and with more than 90 percent of students with disabilities attending a public school, further reductions in funding will deepen inequities and destabilize the public education system that serves the vast majority of our children in every community across the state.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to oppose state participation in the federal tax‑credit voucher program.
We appreciate your support and will keep you updated.
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