Connecticut made national news this month with a policy first: creating a $5 million state tax credit program to incentivize donations to a university athletics department. Supporters are quick to note the pride UConn athletics brings to our state, from March Madness to conference championships. And it’s true: the Huskies are a source of pride and visibility for Connecticut.
But as policy, this raises an unavoidable question: why are we dedicating millions in taxpayer-backed credits to sports while families across Connecticut struggle to afford educational opportunities for their children?
Not Opposing UConn, But Prioritizing Families
This isn’t about opposing UConn athletics. Our flagship university is a point of pride, and its success matters to the state. But if Connecticut can find $5 million to make donations to a basketball program more attractive, then surely we can dedicate even a fraction of that to make education more affordable and accessible for families.
Supporting UConn athletics has value, but priorities matter. If the state is willing to forgo millions in revenue, the first place to invest should be in students and families. A scholarship tax credit for education would mean direct relief for parents, more options for students, and a stronger long-term investment in Connecticut’s workforce and future.
Tax Credits: A Missed Opportunity for Families
For years, our organization has championed scholarship tax credits — a straightforward, proven tool that gives families more choice in education. Here’s how they work: individuals and businesses receive a tax credit when they donate to scholarship funds to eligible students, which in turn help families offset tuition or educational expenses. Instead of concentrating benefits in one institution, these programs reach thousands.
Other states have already embraced versions of this model, helping working families access the schools and programs that fit their children’s needs. These programs are transparent, fiscally responsible, and designed to put parents — not institutions — at the center of decision-making.
Earlier this year, we worked with lawmakers to introduce a proposal for Connecticut: LCO No. 9960, offered as an amendment to SB 1. The amendment would have created a $2.5 million tax credit program for scholarships. Its structure mirrored the very same program now enacted for UConn athletics. The only difference? Ours focused on students and families. Unfortunately, that proposal failed on party lines in the Senate.
The result is striking: Connecticut has said yes to athletics but not yet to academics.
Guardrails and Good Governance
The state’s approach to UConn athletics is a powerful demonstration of how private philanthropy, incentivized through tax policy, can help Connecticut meet important goals. It’s a model of modern governance that aligns public interest with private initiative.
But while UConn benefits, families are left waiting. At a time when policymakers are urging caution and adherence to Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails, lawmakers approved a new $5 million tax credit that does nothing to expand educational opportunity. As our research on the state’s fiscal guardrails shows, tax expenditures must be carefully targeted to essential priorities. New carve-outs for special interests, no matter how popular, undermine long-term stability and fairness.
A Federal Opportunity This February
There is a better way forward. In February, Connecticut lawmakers — including Governor Lamont — will have the opportunity to take advantage of federal legislation that allows states to opt into a federal tax credit for scholarship donations. This program mirrors the free-market approach now celebrated at UConn athletics.
The goal? Help low-income students attend a school that best fits their needs — whether it’s a private, religious, technical, or special education institution — without taking a dime away from public schools or the state budget.
Putting Students First
Connecticut families are clear about their priorities. They want affordable, high-quality education. They want options that fit their children’s needs. And they want policymakers to spend taxpayer dollars in ways that reflect those goals. While Connecticut continues to struggle with one of the largest educational achievement gaps in the country, the solution may be hiding in plain sight.
The athletics tax credit shows what is possible when private philanthropy is unleashed through smart tax policy. Now it’s time to extend that same vision to education. Connecticut’s students deserve the same kind of investment now being extended to athletics. Let’s put them first.
