Re: “New tax credit a boon to private schools. Will Washington opt in?” (Aug. 19, Training Lab):
Gov. Bob Ferguson faces a historic alternative with the federal college alternative tax credit score program benefiting all Washington households at zero value to state taxpayers.
The 74 Catholic colleges in Western Washington educate over 21,500 college students yearly, saving Washingtonians over $363 million per 12 months. Catholic colleges develop alternative for college students with particular wants, and from single-parent households and immigrant households. Without charge to Washington state, the federal college alternative program may also help guarantee these colleges stay sustainable, so the price of educating their college students doesn’t fall on the state.
Importantly, this federal program isn’t nearly personal colleges. Scholarship granting organizations can help public college applications, tutoring, STEM camps and specialised providers complementing public schooling. These aren’t state funds, making state restrictions irrelevant.
If Washington opts out, residents can nonetheless donate to organizations in different states, successfully exporting as much as $1,700 per taxpayer in federal college alternative advantages. Why ought to these advantages help colleges in Idaho or Texas, not Washington?
Gov. Ferguson’s dedication to alternative “with out distinction or desire” aligns completely with this program. Relatively than forcing one-size-fits-all options, it acknowledges that youngsters have numerous studying wants.
Gov. Ferguson ought to select alternative and fairness. Gov. Ferguson ought to decide in.
Tony Audino, chair, Fulcrum Basis; Vivian Shannon, government director, Fulcrum Basis; and Nicholas Ford, superintendent for Catholic Faculties, Archdiocese of Seattle
