ICYMI: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Congressman Baumgartner Call on Governor Ferguson to Unlock Educational Tax Credits for Washington Families

ICYMI: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Congressman Baumgartner Call on Governor Ferguson to Unlock Educational Tax Credits for Washington Families October 20, 2026 | Press Releases SPOKANE VALLEY, WA — Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited the Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame in Spokane Valley to discuss challenges facing K–12 education and opportunities to expand educational options and support student success. They urged Governor Bob Ferguson to opt Washington into the Education Freedom Tax Credit program, which can help eligible public and private school students access tutoring, tuition assistance, special-needs services, and other qualifying educational support. “One of our proudest accomplishments this Congress is creating the Education Freedom Tax Credit, allowing taxpayers to direct up to $1,700 toward scholarships that help students succeed,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “These scholarships can benefit students at schools like Chesterton Academy and public school students alike, helping families pay for tutoring, after-school programs, and other qualifying educational expenses.” The pair also discussed the importance of expanding educational opportunities so families can choose the learning environment that best meets their families needs, regardless of income level. “We are all united by the shared belief that every child, regardless of zip code or family income, deserves an education that reflects their families values and prepares them to succeed,” said Secretary McMahon . “A family’s income should never be the reason a child misses out on an education where he or she should thrive. Those scholarships can support tuition, tutoring, services for students with disabilities, and other qualifying educational expenses whether a child attends public school or private school,” she added. “This is probably the most significant education policy reform, at least in the last 50 years, to create a sense of empowerment for every parent and every student and every taxpayer, that they can take control of the future of education,” Baumgartner concluded. Watch the full press conference here . ‘Education Freedom Tax Credit’ Background: Congress created the Education Freedom Tax Credit in the ‘Working Family Tax Cut Act ’; The new federal tax credit provides up to $1,700 per individual (up to $3,400 for married couples filing jointly) for qualified cash contributions to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO); Scholarships can support tuition, tutoring, services for students with disabilities, and other qualifying educational expenses whether a child attends public school or private school; The Department of Treasury estimates that approximately 95 percent of American children live in households that meet the credit’s income limit; Scholarships depend on state participation, which is why Governor Ferguson needs to affirmatively opt in to the program; 30 states have already decided to opt in; Governor Ferguson has until the first of the year to join the program; The Treasury Department and IRS estimate that, by 2030, more than 11 million donors could contribute $26 billion annually to 600–700 SGOs in participating states; Those contributions could support approximately 2 million full-time scholarships of $12,000 each, or 5 million part-time scholarships of $4,500 each, per year; Actual awards will depend on participation, donations, and SGO decisions; and See Department Education Fact Sheet on the Tax Credit, here .