State Rep. Suzanne Miles filed a school choice bill Friday that would amend Kentucky’s constitution to allow state money to help fund enrollment at private and charter schools. If approved by the state legislature, the measure would be put on the November ballot.
Miles, who is the Majority Caucus Chair, introduced the measure as House Bill 2, indicating it is among the top priorities for the House this session.
“This has been a conversation for really multiple decades now, so I think it’s time for us to let the voters decide,” Miles told reporters at the Capitol on Friday. Owensboro Times was unable to reach Miles for further comment Friday evening.
Section 183 of the Kentucky Constitution currently reads that the General Assembly shall “provide for an efficient system of common schools throughout the State.”
“Common schools” refers to public schools across Kentucky.
House Bill 2 would amend the state Constitution by adding a section that reads that the “General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law in particular places as it deems proper.”
This push for a constitutional amendment comes after courts have struck down previous attempts at a school choice bill.
In 2022, the Kentucky Supreme Court unanimously struck down a bill that would have given tax credits to those donating funds for private school tuition is unconstitutional. And last year, a circuit court judge struck down a measure that would have set up a funding mechanism for charter schools.
This year’s House Bill 2 will first need to clear the Kentucky House and Senate. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has said he will fight any school choice measure, but the Republican-dominated legislature could easily override any veto.
The measure would then be placed on the November ballot, where it would need to be approved by the majority of voters before it could become law.
Read the full bill and keep up with its progress here.
