Critical K–12 resources hang in the balance — opting-in will deliver new funding for millions of families, or let resources flow to other states.
Harrisburg, PA — Education Reform Now (ERN) today released findings from a new poll of Pennsylvania voters showing broad public support for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), the first-of-its-kind program set to take effect in 2027. The findings mirror national trends showing bipartisan approval and highlight a major opportunity for Governor Shapiro to bring new federal resources directly to families — at no cost to the state budget.
According to the survey, an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvania voters, 78% favor Governor Shapiro opting into FSTC, compared to just 12% who oppose. Support spans party and demographic lines, with 82% of Democrats, 85% of Hispanic voters, and 81% of Black voters backing participation.
If Pennsylvania does not opt in, by default, it will see over $3 billion leave the state in the form of federal taxes by individual taxpayers. By opting in to FSTC, the state will have the chance to recoup those dollars and apply them towards K-12 educational supports. Furthermore, since FSTC offers a one-to-one tax credit, taxpayers who pay more than $1,700 a year in federal taxes can contribute $1,700 to a local scholarship granting organization and it wouldn’t cost the
taxpayer one cent. In effect, instead of sending the money to the IRS general fund, the taxpayer can send it to a PA-based organization that is serving the youth.
A recent state by state projection conducted by Education Reform Now estimates that if PA is able to get only 30% of its taxpayers, who would otherwise be sending their dollars to the federal government as tax payments, to give to local scholarship granting organizations, Pennsylvania could generate $967 million annually in new scholarship and tutoring resources. Those funds would support families directly — paying for tutoring, school supplies, internet access, and tuition — without affecting the state budget.
Jorge Elorza, CEO of Democrats for Education Reform said, “This is a moment for political courage and bold vision. Governor Shapiro has already demonstrated time and again that he will do what it takes to deliver for Pennsylvania families. FSTC is already law, so he doesn’t have to wait for the legislature. Opting in is the pragmatic thing to do, and it will show students and families across the Keystone State that they come first.”
Read the full findings here: [STATE POLLING FSTC MEMO]
See the state-by-state calculations here: [FSTC / ECCA PROJECTIONS]
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