Ferguson should opt Washington into the scholarship tax credit

Gov. Bob Ferguson should opt Washington into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit so families can gain more educational options and scholarship organizations have time to prepare.

Ari Hoffman reported on Oct. 15, 2026, that six Washington state senators urged Gov. Bob Ferguson to opt in and act quickly so scholarship organizations could prepare for the January 2027 launch. The senators’ letter said: “The sooner you act, the more time eligible Washington organizations will have to establish programs and make families aware of this opportunity.”¹ Reykdal wrote Ferguson on Oct. 9 urging Washington not to participate: “Washington cannot in good faith participate,” the Washington State Standard reported. The Standard reported Reykdal’s concerns about federal debt and future cuts, limited state authority over scholarship-granting organizations, and state administrative costs; Treasury estimated at least 10 hours of state work per organization annually². Washington should be preparing, not holding families back.

“Washington families do not exist to serve the education bureaucracy. The education system exists to serve Washington families.”

Travis Couture

The scholarships primarily support private-school costs but also cover tutoring, books, supplies and disability services for public-school students, the Washington State Standard reports².

Donors receive the tax benefit: a dollar-for-dollar federal credit of up to $1,700 for individuals or $3,400 for married couples contributing to qualifying scholarship-granting nonprofits. Students qualify with household incomes no greater than 300% of their area’s median income. The credit goes to donors; scholarships help families meet educational needs².

$3,400

maximum married-couple federal tax credit

$1,700

maximum individual federal tax credit for qualifying donations

31 states

states opted into the credit

“New York makes 31!” Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced on Oct. 13, marking the latest state to join³.

Governors must approve participation by Jan. 1, 2027, the Standard reports. Ferguson’s communications director, Brionna Aho, told the outlet his office was reviewing Treasury’s rules². That review should produce a timely decision, not consume the preparation window.

“So it’s not a no; it’s a no right now because it is so poorly written,” he told KIRO host Jake Skorheim, according to MyNorthwest⁴.

His objection to broad eligibility deserves a direct answer: why should reaching more families count against an educational opportunity? Republican state Rep. Travis Couture answered in his letter: “Washington families do not exist to serve the education bureaucracy. The education system exists to serve Washington families.”⁵

Parents should ask the governor for a clear commitment, and lawmakers should press for a decision while organizations can still put it to work. Washington should open this scholarship option to its families, not make them wait while other states move ahead.

Ferguson should opt Washington into the scholarship tax credit

Sources