(ALBANY, NEW YORK) – The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) have mobilized Educator Union Leaders from across the U.S. in urging Democratic Governors to reject participation in President Donald Trump’s Private School Voucher Tax Credit Program and publicly reaffirm their commitment to Public Education.

In an open letter to all 24 Democratic Governors, more than 30 Educator Union Leaders representing millions of Teachers, School Staff and Public Employees are urging the Governors to opt out of the program, which would provide Federal tax credits for donations to organizations that fund private school tuition.

The educators warn participation would legitimize a Federally-subsidized voucher scheme that diverts resources away from Public Schools and accelerates the privatization of education.

The President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers - Stacy Davis Gates, and the President of New York State United Teachers - Melinda Person, spearheaded the multi-State effort. 

“Public education is one of the Democratic Party’s defining commitments,” the national letter states. “At this moment, Educators, parents and communities across the country are asking a simple question: Will Democratic Governors stand up for Public Schools?”

The Federal Voucher Program was established as part of the Republican education agenda and is a cornerstone of Project 2025. 

Evidence from States that have implemented similar Voucher Programs shows that while they’re billed as “school choice,” they overwhelmingly subsidize families already enrolled in private schools while creating significant fiscal pressures on Public Education Systems. 

"Let's be honest about what's happening here: This could completely change how Public Schools are funded and the biggest winners will be the people trying to privatize Public Education,” NYSUT President Melinda Person said. “This is a choice about whether we're willing to normalize vouchers and move further down a path that has already hurt Public Schools in State after State. Democratic Governors should not help legitimize a scheme that benefits private interests while undermining the public schools that serve ninety-percent of our children."

In the letter, Union Presidents note that the 2024 Democratic National Committee platform explicitly opposed “private-school vouchers, tuition tax credits, opportunity scholarships, and other schemes that divert taxpayer-funded resources away from Public Education.”

“Democratic Governors are being handed a test right now: Will you stand up for Public School students or will you help Donald Trump normalize a voucher scheme that Illinois has already rejected?,” IFT President Stacy Davis Gates said. “The Democratic Party platform opposes vouchers, our Governors should too.” 

The Illinois General Assembly already rejected vouchers because they funded discrimination and diverted $315 million from the State’s General Revenue Fund to private schools.

“Now Trump is repackaging the same failed experiment as a Federal tax credit and Democratic Governors across the country are being asked to give it a stamp of approval,” Davis Gates said. “Every Governor who opts in colludes with Donald Trump at the expense of their own public schools. Illinois should not be one of them.”

The letter concludes with a call for strength: “Democratic Governors have long served as a firewall against efforts to dismantle public institutions. We urge you to continue that leadership now.”

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