‘Shameful disservice to Kentucky students’ HB 1 sponsors call out Governor on veto of scholarship measure

Representative Kim Moser and Representative T.J. Roberts issued the following statement upon receiving notification of a gubernatorial veto of HB 1. Moser and Roberts are the primary sponsor and cosponsor of the measure, which would opt Kentucky into a federal program that provides a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit to those who contribute to eligible Scholarship Granting Organizations. These scholarships would be available to lower-and middle-income families for educational resources in public, private, and home school settings:

“The Governor’s veto of HB 1 is a shameful disservice to Kentucky students and families in public, private, and home school settings.

“The measure would allow Kentucky students to benefit from scholarships funded through a federal tax credit – without costing the Commonwealth a single dollar.

Because Kentuckians can already donate in other states and receive the same federal tax credit, the Governor’s veto effectively sends Kentucky dollars to educate students elsewhere instead of helping families here at home.

“Is the Governor really so tone deaf that he doesn’t recognize this as an opportunity? We continue to hear from public school board members and superintendents who are excited about the potential benefits.

“By blocking this program, the Governor is once again standing in the way of a policy that empowers parents and expands educational opportunities for children – whether through tutoring, school supplies, or other academic resources. He’s also blocking the possibility of catalyzing schools of innovation and creativity. Instead of supporting families, he doubles down on misinformation in a blatant attempt to score political points.

“The Kentucky General Assembly continues to deliver historic levels of education funding, even after adjusting for inflation, while advancing policies to improve reading and math proficiency, address attendance and behavior challenges, and recruit and retain teachers. And, we will continue to do so because Kentucky’s children are our priority.

“Yet the Governor, who has done little to advance meaningful education reform, is often the first to take to the megaphone with inflammatory and politically motivated statements. His veto protects the status quo and a system that fails far too many Kentucky children, more than half of whom are not reading or writing at grade level.”