The discussion surrounding voucher tax credits – including HB 743 which was introduced yesterday and HB 447 which died two weeks ago, raises significant fiscal concerns. Based on insights from states with similar legislation across our country, the adoption of voucher-like systems, such as private school tax credits, has led to increased property taxes, diminished resources for rural schools, disproportionately favors affluent families, and comes with no-noticeable improvement in student performance.

We can look to some of our neighboring states to see what threat these bills pose for Idaho. In Utah, their voucher program grew from $42 million annually to $150 million – before it was even implemented – due to high demand from families already enrolled in private schools. In Arizona, their voucher program has ballooned into nearly a $1 billion program. Indiana and Ohio are no different – all started as small “limited” programs and are now multi-million dollar programs. States like Wisconsin experienced a substantial property tax hike amounting to $577 million due to budget shortfalls in public education funding caused by private school vouchers.

To add insult to these financial injuries, analyses from all of those states reveal that between 75% and 90% of voucher recipients were already enrolled in private schools before the introduction of voucher programs. This suggests that such initiatives might serve more as a subsidy for well-off families rather than as a resource to broaden educational access to low-income families.

Research across the U.S. indicates that tax credit and voucher programs do not necessarily lead to better student outcomes. Studies often show there is either no improvement or a decline in performance among recipients, with the most significant benefits observed when students return to public schools.

The parallels between Idaho's proposed voucher schemes and the ones that have gone so wrong in other states should be a warning. The potential for increased taxpayer burden, the drain on Idaho’s financial resources, the unequal benefits distribution, and the lack of positive impact on educational outcomes raise questions about the success and fairness of tax credit programs.

Please, Idaho Legislators, consider these before you listen to the out-of-state groups who are advocating for these programs!

Signed, rural Idaho Superintendents:

Randy Jensen, American Falls SD Gary Brogan, Bear Lake SD Tyler Telford, West Side SD Todd Shumway, North Gem SD