An issue, rather than specific candidates, has also garnered high attention during this fall political season across Kentucky. It’s Amendment Two which, if passed, would allow for state tax dollars to go for private school tuition. House Education Committee Chair and bill co-sponsor James Tipton said, if approved, he would prefer to see a limited scope initially. The GOP legislator said that was the intent of a tax credit scholarship ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court.
“My thought process. That would be the way to start. You get your foot in the door. See what kind of success you have with a limited program. And then, if it’s successful and you see benefits from it, you might eventually expand that in the future,” said Tipton.
Tipton said if approved by voters, lawmakers could then set the policy for distribution of state dollars.
Lexington Senator Reggie Thomas said passage of the Constitutional amendment would result in public school job losses. The democratic lawmaker said states with school vouchers have struggled with funding public schools sufficiently.
Thomas is predicting the ballot initiative will be defeated. The democratic lawmaker partly bases his prediction on the number of counties with large numbers of residents working in public education. Thomas said there’s a philosophical point too.
“We need to keep free public schools as the cornerstone of one of our values and foundations here in Kentucky. And I always make sure that children get a free, good, and sound education here in Kentucky,” said Thomas.
Proponents argue, for some students, private schools offer the best option to achieve the needed academic benefits. Tipton noted a lot of money is being spent on political ads, pro and con and it’s difficult to get a good feel about the outcome. The GOP lawmaker added the state constitution was never meant to set policy.
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