Boon to schools: Horne urges Governor to include Arizona federal tax credit

New $1,700 credit would bring more money to classrooms

PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne has urged Governor Katie Hobbs to include Arizona in a new federal school tax credit opportunity that would add more money to the classroom for students in public district, charter and other school settings.

Horne stated, “Governor Hobbs has a very simple choice to make by having the state opt-in to the new federal school tax credit that can be used by any taxpayer in the state. It benefits students in public district schools, charters and every other school setting. Therefore, there is no logical reason to oppose this.”

He added, “It is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit that taxpayers can donate up to $1,700 annually to Scholarship Granting Organizations as allowed by the law that give money to cover school expenses. Any school could establish such a scholarship organization to accept contributions and bring more money to the classroom. It does not cost the state any money and would increase funding for education.”

Eligible expenses include books, supplies, tutoring, special needs services, computers, tuition, fees, room and board and transportation covered by the federal Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, which requires enrollment at an eligible school.

He concluded, “All the governor needs to do is approve a list of scholarship organizations and submit the list to the federal government by the end of the calendar year. Failure to do so means that other states will be able to take advantage of federal tax dollars paid by Arizonans, but Arizonans will be left out. That is an avoidable tragedy, and I urge the governor to take this common-sense step toward raising more money for all Arizona students.”