FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky House’s Republican floor leader on Tuesday acknowledged that he’s struggling to pick up the votes to create scholarship tax credits for private schools - a measure that’s drawn outspoken opposition from many public school advocates.
A House committee reviewed the bill but took no vote after hearing hour-long comments from the measure’s supporters and detractors. The meeting room was filled with public school advocates and school-choice proponents. The measure won a strong endorsement from GOP Gov. Matt Bevin, who told reporters earlier in the day: “I’d sign that in a heartbeat.”
A grassroots teacher advocacy group has warned that educators are ready to mount another classroom walkout if lawmakers pass the scholarship tax credits. Six Kentucky school districts - including the two largest systems - were forced to close recently after hundreds of teachers called in sick to oppose a bill that would change how the state’s pension fund is managed.
The bill reviewed in committee Tuesday would award tax credits to people who donate to scholarship funds for special-needs children and those in foster care or low- to middle-income homes who attend private schools.
Supporters said it would create opportunities for parents looking for other school options to fit their children’s needs. Opponents warned the credits would undermine public education by draining millions of dollars from the state’s treasury.
After the hearing, House Majority Floor Leader John “Bam” Carney acknowledged his legislation lacks 60 votes to pass in the 100-member House. The 60-vote threshold reflects a rule requiring new spending or revenue-related proposals to get a three-fifths majority vote in odd-numbered years. State lawmakers pass a two-year spending plan in even-numbered years.
“It will be difficult to get to that mark,” said Carney, a Campbellsville Republican.
There are only a few days left in this year’s legislative session. Action on the bill is being held up in part due to disagreements within the GOP House caucus.
“We’ve got some Republicans who have some issues with the situation,” Carney told reporters. “Most of them have all come to me and said they support the concept. But some of them are from smaller districts where they may not have many other choices for school children to go to. So they feel like it’s an issue that they probably don’t necessarily have to weigh into.”
Dozens of superintendents held news conferences on Monday to oppose the bill.
On Tuesday, Kentucky Education Association President Stephanie Winkler told the House panel that the tax credits would deprive the state of revenue to support public education.
“How can the legislature justify passing a bill that puts precious public school funding in jeopardy?” she said. “Any reduction in state general fund tax revenues means less money for the state toward our most fundamental obligation - our public schools.”
An analysis by the Legislative Research Commission estimates the bill could cost taxpayers $7 million in the budget year ending June 30. By 2025, the bill could result in $209 million less for the state’s general fund, which pays for public education and many other state services.
The bill’s supporters said thousands of Kentucky families are on waiting lists for private school scholarships. They said the tax credit would expand scholarship opportunities while resulting in only a fraction of students switching from public to private schools.
Robert Sexton told lawmakers he works 60 hours a week to pay for his 13-year-old son to attend private school. Expanding private school scholarships would help families like his, he said.
“My child is that square peg that just does not fit into the round hole of public education because of his learning differences,” he said. “This isn’t attacking our public schools or trying to take money away from our public schools. It’s trying to help children like my son.”
In his endorsement of the bill, Bevin said he supports rewarding someone with a tax break for wanting to “help a young person get the best possible chance in life.” The governor, who has clashed with some public education groups, said the bill wouldn’t hurt public schools.
“This isn’t about the education system,” Bevin told reporters. “It’s about the individual. It’s about the student and it’s about their parent. It’s about choices.”
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The legislation is House Bill 205.
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