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One Big Beautiful Bill gives scholarship donors $1700 federal tax credit – but Dem majority doesn’t want it
By Guy Page
Vermonters will not be allowed to take a federal tax credit for contributing to a private/independent school scholarship program, if a House Ways & Means Committee miscellaneous tax bill introduced yesterday becomes law.
H.933, titled “miscellaneous administrative and policy changes to the tax laws,” rules that “Vermont shall not participate in the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations under 26 U.S.C. § 25F,” and “any election to the contrary made by another State official or entity is void and shall have no effect.”
The One Big Beautiful Bill legislation passed by Congress last year allows states to allow state taxpayers to receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on their federal taxes for up to $1700 of donations to a private (including religious) scholarship granting organization.
However, the OBB also lets states opt out of the program. At the behest of Ways and Means Chair Emilie Kornheiser (D-Brattleboro), the committee voted to not allow the federal tax grant.
All four Republicans on Ways & Means voted to keep the tax credit, but they were outnumbered by a unanimous vote of the Democrat majority.
The GOP members on Ways & Means are Mark Higley (Lowell), Bill Canfield (Fair Haven), Woodman Page (Newport) and Carolyn Branagan (Georgia). Democrat members, besides Kornheiser, include Charles Kimbell (Woodstock), Bridget Burkhardt (South Burlington), Rebecca Holcombe (Norwich), James Masland (Thetford), Carol Ode (Burlington), and Edward “Teddy” Waszazak (Barre City).
Page said the tax credit was a matter of interest at a recent legislative breakfast, especially by parents involved with the local Christian school.
H.933 – which has many other proposed tax changes – was referred to the Appropriations Committee. Republican Ways & Means Committee members said a floor amendment to restore the federal tax credit may be proposed. The Senate reportedly has an opt-in in the works. If it passes the Senate, it will likely be addressed in a House-Senate committee of conference.
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Categories: Education, Legislation
No pragmatic reason for this. It will generate about $2.00 more State revenue.
Vermont taxpayers can take advantage of the $1700 dollar for dollar tax credit by contributing to scholarship programs in other states. Contributions can be divided among schools. I googled “What non-woke independent schools with scholarships have success with at risk students?”. There are many good choices. Unfortunately, there are some Vermont schools that qualify such as Putney School and Greenwood School, but thanks to Kornheiser and comrades they are ineligible.
This is truly evil. Steve is correct, this doesn’t prevent Vermont taxpayers from taking care of the tax credit. All it does is disallow the money to be spent from the program in VT for low income students to access tutoring, school supplies, or in some cases tuition to public or independent schools. These people are narcisistic sociopaths who would rather see children suffer and fail than not have control over the choices other people should be free to make. Scott needs to veto this!
I don’t understand how the state can override a federal policy particularly if it is a federal income tax credit. It seems discriminatory to me especially if the school is religious.
Nothing illustrates the obsession with a monopoly on education as much as this action. The overlords in Montpeculier just can’t bear the thought of the indoctrination machine aka public, NEA ruled education losing any to an alternative approach. 😡
Waiting for my next property tax bills.