You pay among the highest taxes in America. Your direct tuition assistance? Zero. It's time to support Senate Bill S1945.
Eight states now offer broad educational choice programs—giving families direct tuition assistance. New York, despite leading the nation in per-pupil spending at over $25,000 and taxing middle-class families at 5.90% (2026 reduced rate), provides zero direct tuition assistance to families who choose private education.
These states provide direct educational funding to eligible families. Arizona pioneered open-eligibility choice in 2022; seven more states have followed.
| State | Program | Open Eligibility Since | Award / Student | State Tax Rate | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Education Savings Accounts | 2023 | $8,000 | 0% | 1.4M+ (all choice) |
| Ohio | EdChoice Scholarship | 2024 | $6,166–$8,408 | 2.75%(effective flat) | 100,900+ |
| North Carolina | Opportunity Scholarship | 2023 | $3,458–$7,686 | 3.99%(flat) | 54,000+ |
| Arkansas | Educational Freedom Account | 2025 | $7,208 | 3.90%(top rate) | 46,500+ |
| Arizona | Empowerment Scholarship Account | 2022 | $7,400 | 2.50%(flat) | 102,800+ |
| Iowa | Students First ESA | 2025 | $7,988 | 3.80%(flat) | New program |
| Utah | Fits All Scholarship | 2024 | $8,000 | 4.45%(flat) | 23,000+ |
| West Virginia | Hope Scholarship | 2026 | $5,436 | 4.82%(top rate) | New program |
Sources & Notes
All tax rates from Tax Foundation (2026). Indiana opens eligibility July 1, 2026.
Thousands of New York families already pay twice: once through state income tax and school property taxes that fund a public system their children do not attend, and once for private tuition. A $7,500 Educational Choice Credit is not a new cost to the state—it is a partial refund of the high taxes these families already contribute to keep the New York economy running.
From Florida's 1.4 million families using choice programs to Ohio's 100,000+ EdChoice scholars to Arkansas's 46,000+ Educational Freedom Accounts, the evidence is clear: when states offer educational choice, families use it. These programs have created both successes and scaling challenges that New York can learn from. A phased, fiscally-responsible program would serve New York families without repeating other states' mistakes.
The value of an Educational Choice Credit is not measured solely by standardized test scores. Whether for religious education, specialized curricula, safety, or simply a better fit, taxpayers should have a say in how their education dollars serve their children. This is about parental agency and the principle that public funds should follow the student.
Introduced by Senator Bill Weber (R–District 38), the Educational Equity and Choice Act would require New York to provide the same services to non-public school students that public school students already receive—including transportation, textbooks, and special education support—with costs borne by the state. A companion bill, A2279, has been introduced in the Assembly.
S1945 is a service equity bill—a practical, incremental first step that establishes the principle that state education dollars should serve all students, not just those in the public system. NYEdChoice.org supports S1945 as that first step, and advocates for its expansion into a an Educational Choice Credit for all New York families.
We respect and value New York's teachers. Educational choice is not about undermining public schools—it's about reducing the pressure on an overburdened system. Here's why choice can benefit classrooms:
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that when a state provides a neutral educational benefit, it cannot exclude families solely because they choose a religious school. New York's constitutional provisions must be modernized to reflect this legal reality.
This precedent, building on Espinoza v. Montana (2020), establishes that neutral benefit programs must treat religious and secular schools equally. Any future New York Educational Choice Credit would need to comply with this standard.
See how much you contribute in education-related taxes—and how much direct tuition assistance your family receives.
While your taxes support your community's general welfare, property values, and public infrastructure, you currently receive no direct tuition assistance for your family.
A $7,500 Educational Choice Credit would change that.
Enter your address to find your NY State Senator and Assembly Member. We'll generate a personalized email asking them to co-sponsor Senate Bill S1945.
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My name is Phil. I'm a parent, taxpayer, and newer resident of Massapequa, New York. Like thousands of Long Island families, I pay substantial state income tax and school property taxes while also paying private tuition—receiving zero direct educational assistance from the state I contribute to every year.
I watched this issue get talked about at school board meetings and kitchen tables but never go anywhere. Instead of just complaining about it, I wanted to do something. So I researched the data, fact-checked every claim against official state sources, and built this site to make it as easy as possible for families like mine to be heard in Albany.
This is not a partisan project—it's a taxpayer fairness project. Eight states have already proven that educational choice works at scale. New York families deserve the same opportunity. Every data point on this site is sourced and verifiable, and the tool above puts you two clicks away from telling your representatives how you feel.
Have feedback or disagree? Send us your thoughts—we welcome the conversation.