It’s great that Gov. Kathy Hochul now means to opt New York into the federal school-choice scholarship program — a win for schoolchildren at no cost to the state — but why is she hedging from the start?

The governor broke the news in a private meeting with leaders of an Orthodox Jewish group eager for their kids to benefit, showing she realizes it can be a vote-winner.

But her flacks then publicly hedged by saying she’d have to check for “poison pills that could harm New York’s education system” before making it official.

Bull: She knows the teachers unions hate this program, because it gives families help in escaping union-dominated public schools; that’s why only one Democratic governor, Colorado’s Jared Polis, has opted in so far.

Again, opting in means “free money” for New Yorkers, period.

Starting next year, taxpayers nationwide can redirect up to $1,700 of their federal income taxes to nonprofit scholarship organizations that provide money for nonpublic school tuition, tutoring and other educational expenses.

Governors only have the power to block families in their states from getting the help.

We’re overjoyed that Hochul is opening the door to maybe bucking the teachers unions, but her record of reversing course at the expense of the little guy after she’s won re-election has us worried.

Drop the “poison pill” double-talk, gov, and side firmly with New York’s schoolchildren.