Critics created uncertainty around Idaho’s new parental tax credit — and now question demand

Crazy tales are spun during an election. Those running for office often use whatever method necessary to earn votes. There's a reason some people call it "silly season."

But there's a big difference between politics and policy.

One of the main arguments being put forth in Idaho's current primary election centers around the state's new parental choice tax credit. It's a question that comes up at almost every community forum.

Some of the discussion is familiar. But critics have settled on a new argument: because some funds remain available, they claim the program lacks demand and should be scaled back or eliminated.

That argument ignores both the reality of the program’s first year and the role opponents themselves played in creating uncertainty around it from the very beginning.

Before the program even launched, critics filed a lawsuit asking the Idaho Supreme Court to block it entirely. Throughout the legislative session, lawmakers continued introducing bills designed to weaken or reduce the program. In fact, some of those who opposed the tax credit during debate over its passage, later sponsored legislation aimed at cutting the program back further.

Parents noticed.

Families considering private school tuition, tutoring services, homeschool curriculum, or specialized educational support understandably hesitated to rely on a program while opponents were actively trying to dismantle it in court and in the Legislature.

And yet despite those efforts, more than 10,000 Idaho students are already benefiting from the program.

That is not evidence of failure. It is evidence of meaningful demand even under hostile political conditions.

Critics also ignore another important fact: the remaining funds are not sitting unused because families rejected the program. They remain available because many Idaho families are not requesting the full $5,000 maximum benefit.

In other words, families are using the program responsibly.

That directly contradicts one of the most common attacks opponents made during debate over the tax credit. Critics warned the program would become a runaway spending scheme or an unchecked drain on taxpayers. Instead, families are requesting only what they actually need for tuition, tutoring, curriculum, therapies, or other educational expenses.

That fiscal restraint should be celebrated, not criticized.

The irony is hard to miss. If the program had immediately exhausted every available dollar, critics would almost certainly be claiming it was fiscally irresponsible. But because families are using the program conservatively and responsibly, opponents are now trying to spin that restraint as proof the program lacks value.

The criticism changes. The opposition never does.

What makes the attacks even more absurd is the scale involved.

Idaho’s parental choice tax credit is capped at $50 million. Meanwhile, Idaho’s K-12 public education system receives roughly $3 billion annually in taxpayer funding.

Critics are treating a program that represents a tiny fraction of overall spending as though it is some existential threat to public education.

It is not.

Even at its full cap, the parental choice program amounts to a small percentage of Idaho’s overall education budget. And unlike many government programs, this one is already demonstrating fiscal discipline from the families using it.

More importantly, the tax credit is helping real students.

For some families, that means access to a private school better suited to their child’s needs. For others, it means tutoring support, specialized therapies, curriculum assistance, or supplemental educational services that would otherwise be financially out of reach.

Educational choice is not one-size-fits-all, and the flexibility of this program allows parents to use only what is necessary for their child’s education.

That is a feature — not a flaw.

Critics also fail to acknowledge that new programs take time to mature. Families need time to understand eligibility rules, application procedures, approved expenses, and whether the program will remain stable long term. That process becomes even slower when opponents spend months publicly warning the program may be overturned or repealed.

You cannot spend a year trying to convince parents that a program is unstable and temporary and then claim their caution proves there was never demand.

Despite lawsuits, repeal efforts, and relentless political attacks, thousands of Idaho families still chose educational opportunity for their children.

And they did so responsibly.

That should be viewed as a success story — not twisted into a political talking point by critics who opposed choice from the start.