St. Genevieve students press Rep. Luz Rivas on federal scholarship tax credit

Congresswoman Luz Rivas visited St. Genevieve Parish Schools on Monday and heard students argue that California should opt into a new federal scholarship tax credit. The student-led campaign says the program could expand educational options for California families and direct more federal scholarship dollars to the state.

Why it matters: - St. Genevieve students are trying to push California into a federal tax credit program that could help fund K-12 scholarships and related education costs. - The campaign targets Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision on whether California will participate in the 2027 program. - Students say the issue could affect access to tutoring, school materials and other supports for families with limited means.

What happened: - Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) visited St. Genevieve Parish Schools in Panorama City on Monday, Aug. 10, and met with student leaders in the school’s Leadership and Advocacy course. - The visit came on the first day of high school classes. - Students presented research, policy arguments and outreach efforts to Rivas during the meeting. - The course is offered in partnership with Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and students who complete it can earn three college credits.

The details: - The students said the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit is a federal tax credit, not a state-funded school voucher. - Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, qualifying taxpayers may claim a dollar-for-dollar federal income-tax credit of up to $1,700 for cash contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations. - Those organizations would use the contributions to provide scholarships for eligible K-12 students. - Federal education officials say scholarships may cover qualified educational expenses tied to public, charter and private education. - Eligible uses include tutoring, educational materials, test preparation, internet service, private-school tuition and services for students with disabilities. - California must opt in and submit a list of qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations to the IRS for California families to benefit. - As of July 24, 2026, California was not on the IRS list of states that had elected to participate for 2027. - California residents may still claim the federal credit by giving to an approved Scholarship Granting Organization in a participating state. - Federal rules require those organizations to use the money to help eligible students in the state where the organization is listed. - Students said that without California participation, California taxpayer dollars could support students in other states instead of California. - The students cited an Education Reform Now analysis projecting about $3.1 billion annually for scholarships, tutoring and other supports if 30% of eligible California taxpayers participate. - The projection depends on an assumed participation rate and is not guaranteed funding. - Polling from Democrats for Education Reform showed 59% of California voters supported Newsom opting into the program, while 25% opposed it. - The same polling showed support from 77% of California Democratic voters, 76% of Black voters and 68% of Latino voters.

Between the lines: - The students are not just lobbying for a policy change. They are using the campaign as a live civics and media study. - Their class is now examining how news coverage is shaped and why the tax credit has drawn limited sustained attention despite the stakes. - The campaign also reflects a broader debate over school choice, public funding and which families benefit from education tax incentives. - California schools and districts are facing financial pressure, which gives the policy debate added urgency.

What's next: - The Leadership and Advocacy class will keep studying how editorial decisions are made and what makes a policy story resonate with news organizations and audiences. - Students will continue pushing for broader public awareness before California decides whether to join the federal program. - The class is also expected to keep engaging policymakers and media as part of its curriculum.

The bottom line: - St. Genevieve students are making a direct case that California should opt into a federal scholarship tax credit they say could bring billions in education aid and expand options for families.