Statement by Governor Jeb Bush, founder and chair of ExcelinEd, on today’s override of a veto that will allow Kentucky’s first educational choice program to begin helping low-income families later this year.
“What a great and historic day for students in Kentucky. Expanding learning opportunities for low-income families is a smart investment in them and the state’s future.
“Too many students suffered learning loss during the pandemic. Empowering families with access to better educational options for their children is life-changing, both in the classroom and beyond.
“Representatives Chad McCoy and Jerry T. Miller and Senator Ralph Alvarado demonstrated great leadership in advocating for Kentucky families, as did EdChoice Kentucky which has invested years in creating more learning opportunities for all students.”
—
House Bill 563 creates a new $25 million tax-credit funded scholarship program to serve low-income families in seven counties across the state.
Scholarship eligibility will be for households earning up to 175% of the federal limit for reduced-price school meals, which is about $86,000 for a family of four in the next school year.
The program will be funded by donations to a nonprofit scholarship granting entity. Donors would receive a tax credit worth up to 95% of their donation, with a per-donor cap of $1 million.
The bill will allow families to use scholarship funds to meet their child’s learning needs through tutoring, educational materials and private school tuition, and would also provide vouchers for students to attend a different public school in adjacent districts if space allows.
Tax-credit programs and education scholarship accounts have been successful in many other states. Visit the ExcelinEd policy library for more information.
