Linda McMahon Urges Washington to Adopt School Tax Credit
The federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program offers up to $1,700 in tax breaks for scholarship donations.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Secretary Linda McMahon has called on Governor Bob Ferguson to join the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. The proposal would provide individuals with tax credits for donations made to groups funding K-12 scholarships.
Why it matters
Proponents argue the program expands educational choice for families, while critics worry that diverting funds could impact public school resources.
Donors participating in the Education Freedom Tax Credit can receive a tax credit of up to $1,700 per individual. To date, 31 states have already opted into the program.
The players
Linda McMahon
Secretary Linda McMahon is a prominent advocate for educational policy reform and school choice initiatives.
Bob Ferguson
Bob Ferguson serves as the Governor of Washington and is responsible for determining the state's participation in the tax credit program.
Chris Reykdal
Chris Reykdal is the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Washington and has expressed formal opposition to the program.
Michael Baumgartner
Michael Baumgartner is a congressman who joined the visit to advocate for private education access.
The details
Secretary Linda McMahon and congressman Michael Baumgartner visited Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame to advocate for the program's implementation in Washington. The scholarships provided by these donations are intended for use on private education options, including private schooling and tutoring.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: Linda McMahon and Michael Baumgartner urged the governor to join the program.
January 1, 2027: Deadline for Governor Bob Ferguson to decide whether to opt into the program.
Culture Shift
The potential adoption of this policy reflects a broader national movement to prioritize private educational choice through tax-advantaged giving. This shift challenges traditional public school funding models by incentivizing private scholarship contributions.
Residents may see significant changes in how private school tuition and tutoring are funded if the state chooses to opt into the credit program. The policy could directly influence individual household decisions regarding private education by potentially lowering the out-of-pocket costs for families.
The takeaway
The decision before the Governor highlights a major debate over the balance between public school funding and private educational access. Families should monitor the upcoming deadline to understand how potential changes in state tax policy may affect their own educational planning.
What happens next
Governor Bob Ferguson is expected to issue a final decision regarding Washington's participation in the program by the January 1, 2027, deadline.
Further reading
For more background on state-level support, visit the Financial Aid section.
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Do you support your state adopting a tax credit program for private school scholarships?
