New York Gov. Kathy Hochul intends to opt in to the Republican school-choice scholarship program, which is slated to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027, according to her office. That would make her the second Democrat to do so, after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

“Gov. Hochul is supportive of the federal tax credit scholarship and its potential to help New York students and schools,” a spokesman for the governor told JNS.

“Our office awaits information from the federal government on the program and will thoroughly review the details of the policy for poison pills that could harm New York’s education system,” the spokesman added.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer—all Democrats considered potential 2028 candidates—have not said if they will include their states in the program.

The IRS and U.S. Treasury Department stated in December that the program allows people to donate money to scholarships for elementary- and secondary-school expenses and to claim those donations, up to $1,700, as federal tax credits.

Students can only access that money under those terms if the state opted into the program, the federal government said at the time.

Sydney Altfield, CEO of Teach Coalition, part of the Orthodox Union, stated that the governor’s decision is “extraordinary news for Jewish families and for every community across our state.”

“Gov. Hochul is showing true national leadership,” Altfield said. “Her support for this program puts New York at the forefront of expanding educational opportunity and positions the state as a leader among blue states looking to empower families.”

“This is bigger than New York. Blue states across the country will now be watching closely,” she said.