Republican nominee for Michigan governor U.S. Rep. John James said that opting the state into a federal education tax credit that unlocks private school scholarships would be his "day one" priority if elected.
"I want to help increase affordability in your lives, and I want to help increase your educational options," James of Shelby Township said during a Wednesday, Sept. 2 virtual news conference that featured his running mate, state Rep. Jay DeBoyer of Clay Township, and two Michigan parents voicing support for the tax credit program.
"I'm concerned about a future where we solve the number one civil rights issue of our time, which is the failing education system in our state," James said.
The federal Education Freedom Tax Credit approved by President
Donald Trump allows taxpayers to claim a maximum $1,700 credit for contributions to organizations that would then distribute funds to families for education expenses such as tuition, tutoring and after-school programs, according to the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Treasury. Most states have opted into the tax credit. The list includes some states led by Democratic governors, but other Democratic leaders have declined to participate.
Opponents describe the tax credit program as a subsidy for private education. "At face value this is clearly yet another attempt to siphon money out of the public school system and redirect those resources to private institutions," said Bob McCann, executive director of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan, a public education advocacy group.
James disagrees. "This is no threat to public schools," he said. "All this is doing is increasing choice for parents and opportunity for children, and all of the existing resources if they are working well then parents will choose them, and if not, then they will have the opportunity to innovate and improve," James added later.
The tax credit could present legal challenges in Michigan, which has a state constitution that bans tax benefits and other public dollars to support private education. Michigan voters approved the prohibition in a 1970 ballot proposal and voted again to preserve it in 2000.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, in a statement, said, "I'm open to any policy that gets more resources into our schools. But let's be clear: Donald Trump is not being transparent about where the money from this program will go or how it will improve educational outcomes. As governor, I can't commit taxpayer dollars to a program under Trump's control with zero transparency or assurance it will deliver for Michigan students. That's reckless and irresponsible."
The K-12 Alliance of Michigan, teachers' union presidents, Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators and others also sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in April asking the governor to keep the state out of the program. The next month, the State Board of Education passed a resolution urging the governor not to participate in the program. The Republicans on the board voted against the resolution.
James said he expects Whitmer could opt into the tax credit before the next governor is sworn in on Jan. 1, 2027. She hasn't taken a public position on whether to opt into the program. She is awaiting guidance on the program, according to her communications director Bobby Leddy.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Opting Michigan into Trump education tax credit top priority for James
