By Kathryn Hickok
Idaho families are the winners after the state’s legislature passed a refundable $5,000 education tax credit last week. Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit (House Bill 93) will help parents pay for private school tuition, textbooks, transportation, and other qualifying education expenses. The program is universal, meaning any family can apply, but families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level will receive priority for the credit. Students with disabilities will qualify for a higher credit of $7,500. The program is capped at $50 million. The bill awaits Governor Brad Little’s signature.
A December 2024 poll conducted by the Mountain States Policy Center shows 66% of Idaho registered voters favor this education tax credit. The nonprofit policy organization also notes that the tax credit program does not take funding from public schools.
Idaho’s new tax credit will empower parents to choose educational environments that best help their children succeed. When parents have choices, students have more opportunities for their individual learning needs and goals to be met. It’s time for Oregon to expand education choices for parents here.
Kathryn Hickok is Executive Vice President at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregon’s free market public policy research organization, and Director of Cascade’s Children’s Scholarship Fund-Oregon program.
