MESA — The nation’s top education official came to Arizona Tuesday to prod Gov. Katie Hobbs to allow Arizona parents and students have access to an additional source of free education funds.
At an event with partisan overtones, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said a provision of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” approved by the Republican-controlled Congress last year allows individuals to contribute up to $1,700 a year — double that for married couples — to organizations that would grant scholarships that could be used at both public and private schools. Donors get a dollar-for-dollar credit against any federal taxes owed.
Only thing is, the law requires the governor of each state to opt-in to what are known as Education Freedom Tax Credits. Without that, Arizona students will be ineligible for the scholarships that begin in January.