Kentucky Legislature Overrides Governor Beshear’s Veto, Becomes 28th State with Private School Choice Program

Tonight the Kentucky Legislature voted to override Governor Beshear’s veto of House Bill 563. The bill will now become law, making Kentucky the 28th state to enact a private school choice program.
Statement from John Schilling, President of the American Federation for Children:
“Today lawmakers in Kentucky did the right thing by rejecting a veto by their Governor that would have denied thousands of children in the Bluegrass State access to an educational environment that best serves their needs. We applaud members of the Kentucky Legislature who stood up and fought on behalf of children and families. Kentucky will join 27 other states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in providing families with private school options and putting kids before special interests.”
Details:

• HB 563 now becomes law, creating a $25 million tax credit ESA program
• Students whose family income is equal to or less than 175% of that required for free or reduced lunch would be eligible for the program
• Private school choice would be available to students in counties with a population more than 90,000
• Kentucky becomes the 28th state in the country with a private school choice program