USA TODAY columnist Ingrid Jacques argues that blue-state governors refusing to opt into the new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit are protecting teachers unions rather than serving students, using her home state of Michigan and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as her central example. She frames the program as a straightforward benefit that 31 states have signaled they’ll join, with only Oregon, Minnesota, and Wisconsin declining outright and the rest of the holdouts led by Democratic governors caught between angering unions and parents. Jacques contends Whitmer’s claim that she needs “more information” is a stalling tactic (Treasury rules are expected by month’s end) masking a political calculation, quoting Corey DeAngelis on governors kicking the can past the elections.
Jacques rebuts the voucher critique by arguing the money is foregone revenue on voluntary donations rather than funds diverted from public schools, and stresses it funds tutoring and disability services for students who need help—noting Michigan ranks 44th nationally in fourth-grade reading. She contrasts Whitmer with Democratic governors Jared Polis and Kathy Hochul who have opted in or plan to, and notes support from Democrats for Education Reform and Arne Duncan. She cites Education Reform Now’s polling and estimate that if just 1% of eligible Michigan filers contributed, it would generate more than $22 million in scholarships, and points to the November governor’s race—Republican John James pledging to join as a top priority, Democrat Jocelyn Benson echoing Whitmer—warning that if Michigan stays out, residents’ tax-credited donations will simply flow to students in participating states like Ohio and Indiana.