Vouchers, ducks and the need to be honest

To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan, there they go again.

Opponents of parental choice in education are reviving their favorite scare tactic: the "voucher" boogeyman.

Six months ago, the Idaho legislature passed and Governor Brad Little signed one of the nation's best education choice programs - a parental tax credit. Those who opposed the measure are stuck on the same old talking points.

They've launched a renewed effort to label the program a voucher - even though the facts clearly show it is not. They know the term carries political baggage, and they use it to scare parents and mislead the public.

One legislator recently wrote, "if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's a duck."

But here’s the truth: Idaho’s new Education Choice Tax Credit, established by House Bill 93, is not a voucher. It’s a tax credit. And it’s the most responsible, parent-focused education choice program in the country.

A screenshot from a recent Idaho State Tax Commission webinar.

In a recent webinar, the state tax commission confirmed the credit is not a voucher.

A voucher is a government payment that flows directly from the state treasury to a private school. That’s not what Idaho has created. House Bill 93 empowers families directly. Parents can claim a tax credit against their state income taxes for education-related expenses. The money never passes through a government agency before it’s spent. That’s a fundamental distinction. The program puts parents in charge—not bureaucrats, not politicians, and certainly not school districts that want to maintain a monopoly.

Opponents know this difference. They just don’t like competition. They prefer a system where parents are forced into one option, regardless of whether it fits their child’s needs. By crying “voucher,” they’re trying to frame choice as some kind of attack on public schools - even though public schools are not harmed by this legislation. In fact, the state's K-12 budget is increasing.

In reality, choice is about helping kids succeed—whether that’s in a public school, a private school, a homeschool, or through tutoring and specialized programs.

The policy in House Bill 93 is popular. MSPC polling finds a super majority of Idahoans support it, which may explain why opponents feel the need to try and change the messaging in a hurry - before the first children benefit.

The bill sets the gold standard for how to expand educational opportunity responsibly. It has accountability, a reasonable starting cap, and flexibility that ensures families can use it for what works best for their child—private tuition, homeschooling materials, therapy, or tutoring. No other state has a plan this well-designed, this family-friendly, and this protective of taxpayers. Idaho is leading the nation by showing how you can expand opportunity without creating runaway government programs.

Parents, not politicians, should decide what education looks like for their kids. That’s what Idaho’s tax credit delivers. We shouldn't let opponents distort the truth with tired talking points.

This isn’t a voucher and it's not a duck—it’s a victory for families and a model for the nation.