MLG plans to opt dead-last in education New Mexico out of federal choice program

Despite having graduated from St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe Michelle Lujan Grisham is no fan of school choice. She doesn’t even like it when the federal government enacts programs to allow New Mexicans to obtain the education that works for them and their children. This is true even though New Mexico’s education system is ranked last in the nation. 

In the Big Beautiful Bill which was passed this summer a program to do the following:

• Taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for donations made to certified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs).
• The maximum credit is $1,700 per taxpayer per year.
• Taxpayers cannot direct their donation toward a specific family or student. 

• Qualifying families receive scholarships from Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO’s) to cover approved educational expenses.
• To be eligible, a student must be able to enroll in a public school, and their family’s income must not exceed 300% of the median gross income for their area.
• The scholarships can be used for a wide range of expenses, including private school tuition, homeschooling materials, tutoring, and special education services. 

The program is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, just as MLG leaves office (at the end of 2026). Sadly, this is an opt-in program, meaning states must voluntarily elect to participate. States must also approve the SGOs that operate within their borders. Lujan Grisham’s spokesperson Michael Coleman recently stated that New Mexico “would not opt into the program.” 

Hopefully New Mexico’s next governor will have a better approach than MLG. This is one of many questions that need to be asked of the candidates running for Gov. from both parties.