By Currents News
Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn used his address at the Cathedral Club’s 126th anniversary dinner to call on New York families and leaders to support the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, a program that could expand access to Catholic schools.
As spiritual director of the Cathedral Club, Bishop Brennan encouraged attendees to advocate for New York’s participation in the initiative.
The program allows taxpayers to redirect up to $1,700 of their federal income taxes to nonprofit scholarship organizations that provide tuition assistance for students.
New York families risk missing out on the benefit unless Gov. Kathy Hochul opts the state in.
“It’s a federal program; it doesn’t cost the state anything, but the state needs to opt in,” Bishop Brennan said. “So what we really want to do, in a very friendly way, is encourage the governor to sign on to this and to do so soon.”
As of two weeks ago, 23 states had opted into the Education Freedom Tax Credit. The program is set to begin in 2027.
Bishop Brennan emphasized the urgency, noting that rising education costs make such scholarship support increasingly vital for families seeking Catholic schooling.