NEW YORK: Agudah Opposes Bill Shifting Scholarship Program Decision to Regents

Agudath Israel of America is urging New York lawmakers to reject a bill that would transfer authority over the state's participation in the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program from the governor to the Board of Regents.

The organization said Wednesday that S10734, introduced by State Senator John Liu, could jeopardize education assistance for families. The federal program gives tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations that help cover eligible elementary and secondary education expenses.

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that New York will participate for the 2027 tax year. Liu's proposal would give the Board of Regents the annual decision beginning with the 2028 tax year, according to his office. It would not reverse the state's announced 2027 participation.

Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudah's director of New York government relations, said the organization had worked for years to advance the federal program and welcomed Hochul's decision. He urged lawmakers to reject the bill and allow the state to move forward.

Liu argues that the decision belongs with the Board of Regents as an education-policy matter. He and the bill's supporters say the federal program risks diverting resources from public schools. Agudah says the scholarships could help families with students in public and nonpublic schools alike.

The legislation is a proposal, not an enacted change. The dispute concerns who would decide New York's future participation, rather than an immediate end to the program.