Republicans vow to override Beshear’s veto of bill allowing tax credits for school donors
Members of Kentucky’s Republican-led General Assembly vowed Friday to override Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of legislation that would allow federal tax breaks for donations to private school scholarships.
Beshear on Friday vetoed House Bill 1, which would allow Kentucky to enroll in the Education Freedom Tax Credit Scholarship program.
The program, which was part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, would allow people who donate to nonprofit scholarship-granting organizations, or SGOs, to take tax deductions of up to $1,700.
The bill figures in Kentucky’s ongoing debate over charter schools, and it would shift the authority to opt in to the federal program from Beshear, a Democrat, to Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican.
Beshear said he was “standing with” Kentuckians, who he said have clearly indicated that “public dollars should only be used for public education.”
Adams responded to Beshear’s veto message on the social media platform X with a simple statement: “Fine. I’ll sign it.”
The bill’s sponsor and co-sponsor, Rep. Kim Moser and Rep. T.J. Roberts, said in a statement that the veto “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,” Moser and Roberts wrote. “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.”
Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg, said the legislature would override the veto, and he said the bill passed with bipartisan support “because members recognized the simple question before us: Should federal education tax credits claimed by Kentucky families benefit Kentucky students, or those in other states?”
He said the program would cost taxpayers nothing and that the governor’s veto amounts to “rejecting additional federal education resources that could benefit students across the commonwealth.”
“Governor Andy Beshear’s veto message misrepresents what House Bill 1 actually does,” Givens wrote in a response. “This legislation does not spend a single dollar of Kentucky tax revenue, does not reduce SEEK funding and does not divert state education dollars. It simply allows Kentucky to participate in a federal program so that charitable donations supported by a federal tax credit can benefit Kentucky students instead of students in other states.
“HB 1 begins the process to offer this school funding opportunity to Kentucky taxpayers, teachers and, most importantly, students. If Kentucky refuses to opt in, our taxpayers can still claim the credit, but their donations will flow across state lines to support education elsewhere. HB 1 prevents that and keeps those opportunities here at home.
“Federal funds resulting from HB 1 can support a wide range of educational needs for students in public, private or homeschool settings, including tutoring, technology, books and special needs services. This is about expanding resources for students, not taking anything away from our public schools.”
Six neighboring states — Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia — have opted into the program, Caleb Brown, CEO of the nonprofit Bluegrass Institute, said in a statement.
“Governor Beshear’s veto of a scholarship tax credit program today is a clear example of a politician protecting entrenched special interests at the expense of young people across the commonwealth,” Brown wrote.
He said the bill would “allow Kentucky families to access scholarships for K-12 education funded by private donations that qualify for a federal tax credit — at no cost to Kentucky taxpayers.
“The governor’s decision to block that opportunity reflects a philosophy that treats the education establishment as an end, not a means to serve Kentucky’s young people,” Brown wrote.
“Can’t wait to override this veto!” Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, a Republian who represents the 6th District, said in a post on X. “This is a brilliant federal program that will serve ALL students!
“KY voted loud and clear for Trump and for policies like this that will further strengthen education. The KY Senate is in full support!”
Rep. Susan Witten, a Republican who represents part of Jefferson County, said the bill had received bipartisan support from legislators who worked in education.
“Every former and current educator in the General Assembly, Republican and Democrat, voted YES to HB1,” she wrote in a post on X. “They understand these are FEDERAL tax credits that will only HELP Kentucky kids, in public AND private schools. When JCPS creates their SGO, I will gladly donate $1,700 to it.”
The bill passed the House 79-17, with one abstaining, and the Senate passed it 33-5. Sen. Keturah Herron of Louisville was the lone Senate Democrat who voted for the bill, and in the House, Democrats Rep. Tina Bojanowski, of Louisville, and Rep. Matthew Lehman, of Newport, voted in favor.
Adam Hope, communications director for the Republican Party of Kentucky, issued a statement Friday afternoon on behalf of the GOP, saying that “Beshear vetoed HB1 to appease the radical left that opposes empowering parents and students.”
“HB1 doesn’t take a single dollar from state funding,” the statement reads. “It’s a federal tax credit that will help get more resources to the people who need them most. This veto is pure politics and shows how little this Governor cares about Kentucky families.”
Meanwhile, Morgan Eaves, executive director of the Kentucky Democratic Party, praised Beshear.
“Attacks by the GOP. A full court press by the Wall Street Journal editorial board. None of it can sway @AndyBeshearKY from what’s right. And from what KY voters want,” Eaves said in a post on X.
