Kentucky lawmakers override veto to launch federal school choice program

Kentucky will move ahead with implementing a new federal education opportunity program after the General Assembly overrode Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of House Bill 1 in mid-March. The bill sets up the state framework for families to tap federally funded scholarship accounts that can be spent on private school tuition, tutoring or other approved education expenses.

The House first passed HB1 on a 79-17 vote on Feb. 23. The Senate followed with a 33-5 vote on Feb. 26. After Beshear vetoed the measure on March 12, the House overrode the veto 77-14 the next day. The Senate completed the override 31-5 on March 16.

Rep. Moser is the primary sponsor. Eighteen Republican House members signed on as co-sponsors, including House Speaker Osborne and Majority Floor Leader Tipton. The veto override means the program takes effect without the governor's approval, a process Kentucky's constitution allows on a simple majority of each chamber.