Governor Lamont, Why Are You Denying Connecticut Children an Opportunity?

President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a remarkably simple education program: Beginning in 2027, individuals can donate up to $1,700 to approved scholarship organizations and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit. Those donations help students pay for private-school tuition, tutoring, supplies, special-needs services, and other qualified expenses. Public-school students can benefit, too.

The scholarships are funded by private donations—not Connecticut’s education budget. Federal tax credits do reduce federal revenue, but Connecticut is not being asked to pay for these scholarships. So why hasn’t Governor Ned Lamont signed us up?

As of October 22, thirty states had formally opted in. Connecticut was not among them. Even New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul has announced she intends to participate, despite teachers’ union opposition. Colorado’s Democratic governor has already opted in.

Lamont points to concerns about oversight and public education. Yet federal rules addressing scholarship organizations and accountability have been issued. We should demand proper safeguards, of course. But why should those concerns prevent Connecticut children from accessing an additional source of educational support?

Here’s what I suspect: Connecticut’s teachers’ unions oppose this program, and I believe their political influence is a significant reason Lamont is hesitating. These unions are powerful political players. Their relationship with Democratic leadership deserves scrutiny whenever school choice is on the table.

I also wonder whether the real obstacle is that Donald Trump created the program. Call it Trump Derangement Syndrome. In my opinion, some politicians would rather deny Trump a political victory than acknowledge a good idea. Would Lamont react the same way if a Democratic president had proposed it?

Consider the opportunity: 10,000 donations of $1,700 would generate $17 million for educational scholarships. That’s an illustration, not a prediction—but it shows the potential. Meanwhile, Connecticut residents could receive federal credits for helping children in participating states while Connecticut students remain ineligible.

Governor Lamont, put Connecticut’s children first. This program can expand educational opportunity without a Connecticut-funded scholarship appropriation. Whatever the political pressures, Connecticut families deserve a better answer than continued delay.