Linda McMahon presses Gov. Katie Hobbs on education tax credit after three vetoes
The Education Secretary appeared in Mesa alongside Rep. Andy Biggs, saying 30 states have opted in and Arizona families are being left behind.
Watch: The Faceoff: Trump's Canada tariffs, ICE raids and mail-in voting drama | 29 mins
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon urged Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday to opt Arizona into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, calling the governor’s three vetoes of opt-in legislation a disservice to families across the state.
“Governor Hobbs has vetoed three measures that would have allowed Arizona to participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, holding Arizona families back from accessing these powerful opportunities expanding across the country,” McMahon told a Mesa audience Tuesday.
McMahon appeared alongside U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs and Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro at the East Valley Institute of Technology, pressing Hobbs to reverse course before the program launches in January 2027.
Thirty states have already opted in, McMahon said.
Hobbs’ office said the governor has not taken a position for or against the program and is waiting on the federal government to provide rules for how it will be implemented.
Press Secretary Liliana Soto said the vetoes were not a rejection of the concept itself.
Hobbs vetoed the most recent opt-in bill on April 14.
“It is irresponsible to sign this bill before the federal government has released any regulatory guidance,” Hobbs said in her veto letter.
She pointed to problems with Arizona’s existing Empowerment Scholarship Account voucher program as a cautionary example.
What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit?
The tax credit, signed into law by President Donald Trump as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, gives individuals a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to approved scholarship-granting organizations. The funds can be used for private school tuition, tutoring, special education services and technology for K-12 students in participating states.
McMahon dismissed concerns about the program’s regulatory safeguards, saying it has sufficient oversight and that states can opt out if it does not work.
“So Governor Hobbs, what are you waiting for? Come on in, the water’s really fine,” McMahon said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM reporter Shira Tanzer contributed to this report.
Subscribe to the KTAR Eyes on Education newsletter to get our top education stories, exclusive guest interviews and more to your email inbox.
Related
GCU plans potential third ABA-accredited law school in Arizona, eyes 2027 opening
1 in 10 Arizona schools could lose full letter grade with removal of bonus points
West Valley charter school cleared after evacuation for bomb threat
Tempe school employee allegedly used security cameras to watch students in changing room
Teaching requirements for dual-language and CTE classes are getting stricter
Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego ready to ‘get into the fight’ against proposed changes to Head Start
Comments
4 Comments
"McMahon dismissed concerns about the program’s regulatory safeguards, saying it has sufficient oversight and that states can opt out if it does not work."
Yeah, the most blatantly corrupt and incompetent administration in US history SAYING any program has sufficient oversight means < 0.
“So Governor Hobbs, what are you waiting for? Come on in, the water’s really fine,” McMahon said.
Like the reflecting pool? Thank you Katie for not allowing this administration any leeway when it comes to anything they say.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon's job is to facilitate public education, not to give out tax dollars for individuals to waste of for-profit schools. Give every state $1700 per student and let the states spend it to improve PUBLIC schools.
"Working Families Tax Cuts Act, gives individuals a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 "
Linda needs a Stone-Cold Stunner.