Catholics are urged to demand a vote on school choice bill

The Catholic Conference of Kentucky, which represents Kentucky’s bishops, issued an urgent call March 9 for Catholics to demand a vote on Kentucky House Bill 350, a school choice bill.

“A group of House Republicans are fighting hard to prevent the HB 350 (Scholarship Tax Credits) from even getting a vote in 2020,” the CCK wrote in an alert March 9. “There is still plenty of time left to pass the bill with a veto-proof majority, but the path forward is narrowing as the clock ticks towards the end of the legislative session on April 15th.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chad McCoy, a Republican, would establish tax credits for individuals and businesses that donate to organizations that award need-based tuition assistance for non-public schools.

Supporters, like the CCK, say the incentive will increase donations, thereby alleviating the financial barriers families face when seeking non-public education.

“All families should have choice,” said the alert. “It should not be an overwhelming financial burden to choose a school that fits your child’s needs. 

“For some families, the stakes are even higher,” noted the alert. “We have heard from multiple families this session whose children are facing severe bullying and are in desperate need of an alternative. These are situations that no member of the General Assembly would accept for their own children. Yet, certain members expect other families to watch their children fall through the cracks.”

State lawmakers can be reached at 1-800-372-7181.

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