Trump to tout ‘school choice’ at State of Union

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump plans to use next week’s State of the Union speech to renew a call for tax breaks designed to provide more scholarships for students to attend private schools, two administration sources familiar with the address told USA TODAY on Thursday.

Trump’s emphasis on school choice – a popular issue with his core supporters – will be part of a speech in which the president is likely to discuss themes central to his reelection.

In Tuesday’s prime-time speech, Trump will call for passage of longpending legislation that would offer tax credits to people who donate money to nonprofit groups that provide scholarships to private schools.

The Education Freedom Scholarships legislation would provide up to $5 billion in federal tax credits to individuals and businesses who donate to scholarships for families to use at private, faith-based schools or to fund homeschooling. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has championed the proposal since taking office under Trump.

Opponents of the legislation said Trump’s plan would siphon badly needed funds from public schools.

The National Education Association said during a similar push by Trump last year that his administration is pursuing “failed voucher schemes.”

Two administration officials discussed the president’s State of the Union plans on condition of anonymity, saying the speech is in development.

During last year’s State of the Union, Trump made a mention of the topic, saying, “The time has come to pass school choice for America’s children.”

Two bills proposed after that speech languish in Congress, though Trump officials said they have more than 100 co-sponsors for their plan.