Governor Ned Lamont Weighs Connecticut Entry Into Federal Tax Credit

Ned Lamont, the Governor of Connecticut, has not yet decided if the state will participate in the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC). The federal program, established under President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, allows taxpayers to claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs).

These SGOs distribute funds as scholarships for private school tuition or for tutoring and supplies within public schools. The program is scheduled to begin in 2027. While 31 states have already opted in, 14 states, including Connecticut, remain undecided. Lamont is currently awaiting guidance from the Treasury, expected by late September, to clarify eligibility and SGO parameters.

The decision has divided local stakeholders. The Connecticut Catholic Conference supports the credit as a means for students to leave failing schools. Conversely, public school superintendents and education advocates argue the program functions as a voucher scheme that siphons essential funding away from the public education system.