New Jersey has the biggest yeshiva market in America and, so far, no seat at the federal tax credit table. Gov. Mikie Sherrill is still reviewing the federal rules. The deadline to opt in is January 1, 2027.
Katie Katz, executive director of Teach NJ, told the Jewish Link on October 13 that her group has met with Sherrill's team regularly for a year and that thousands of people have emailed the governor. Education Reform Now estimated New Jersey could draw up to $840 million a year if 30% of taxpayers take part. Katz now says "north of $1 billion."
What happens if she says no
New Jersey taxpayers can still claim the credit by giving to scholarship groups in states that opted in. The money would leave New Jersey, and Lakewood's schools would compete for it with schools everywhere else.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, Senate President Pro Tem Kim Ward and five cosponsors announced a bill in August to force the state in, the Altoona Mirror reported. Gov. Josh Shapiro has not said what he will do. Republicans would need seven Democrats to override a veto. Legislatures in Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina opted in over their Democratic governors.
New York, under Kathy Hochul, opted in October 9.
How we reported this: based on the Jewish Link and the Altoona Mirror. We found no Pennsylvania update after August. We will ask Gov. Sherrill's office for a timeline. Tips: [email protected].