Kentucky House votes to override Beshear's veto of school choice bill

The Kentucky house voted Monday to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill that would allow the state to opt into a federal school choice program.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Kentucky house voted Monday to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill that would allow the state to opt into a federal school choice program.

House Bill 1, which would give Kentucky families access to the Education Freedom Tax Credit program, passed the state House and Senate this legislative session.

The bill came after the state's Supreme Court ruled in February that a bill establishing public funding for charter schools was unconstitutional, affirming that state funds "are for common schools and for nothing else." The 2022 measure was enacted by the state’s Republican-dominated legislature over Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto. It was struck down the next year by a lower court.

In 2024, Kentucky voters rejected a ballot measure that would have allowed state lawmakers to allocate public tax dollars to support students attending private or charter schools.

It was another setback for supporters of charter schools, who have attempted for years to gain a foothold in the state. They argue the schools offer another choice for parents looking for the best educational fit for their children. But opponents say such schools would divert needed funds from existing public schools and could pick and choose which students to accept.

When vetoing the bill Friday, Beshear said said "Kentuckians have said loud and clear: Public dollars should only be used for public education."

The Republican Party of Kentucky said in a statement Friday after Beshear's veto "Republicans will override it."

The House Majority Caucus said Monday the vote to override the governor's veto brings Kentucky students and families "one step closer to accessing new educational opportunities through this important legislation."

"HB 1 allows Kentucky students to benefit from scholarships funded through a federal tax credit. It does so without costing the Commonwealth a single dollar. Because Kentuckians can already donate in other states and receive the same federal tax credit, failing to enact this program would have continued sending Kentucky dollars to educate students elsewhere instead of helping families here at home," the statement continued.

The Kentucky Senate, where Republicans also have the majority, still has to vote on overriding the veto.