The Kentucky Senate has passed a controversial “school choice” bill, setting the stage for Kentucky voters to decide if they want taxpayer dollars to go to private and charter schools.
House Bill 2, sponsored by House Majority Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles (R-Owensboro) cleared the House Wednesday on a 65-32 vote, with 12 Republicans joining all Democrats in opposing the measure.
The Senate voted 27-8 to pass the bill, with two Eastern Kentucky Republicans joining six Democrats in opposition.
It is the first constitutional amendment bill to pass both chambers of the legislature during the 2024 General Assembly. Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat who opposes the measure, cannot veto amendment bills.
Miles’ bill does not fund charter or private schools. Instead, it asks voters if they want to amend the Kentucky constitution to give lawmakers the options to fund such schools in the future.
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