FRANKFORT, Ky. — As Kentucky residents consider the possibility of using tax dollars to support students in private schools, a heated debate has emerged between influential political figures, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear and Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul. Both have taken to television ads and public events to advocate for their positions regarding a crucial ballot measure that will be determined in the upcoming November election. With no major statewide offices on the ballot and a solid Republican stance in the presidential race, the school choice issue has become the focal point of the election, representing broader discussions on school funding across the nation.
Beshear and Paul are actively promoting their opposing views, reflecting the stark differences in their philosophies regarding this contentious topic. Paul champions the proposed amendment, which would eliminate existing constitutional restrictions preventing lawmakers from allocating public funds to private school education, should voters approve it. He believes this initiative would enhance parental choice and foster competition among educational institutions, ultimately benefiting both public and private schools. “Competition makes us all better,” he stated during a recent event in western Kentucky.
On the other hand, Beshear firmly opposes the amendment, labeling it a “money grab” that would give lawmakers the freedom to redirect tax dollars to private institutions without accountability. He argues that reallocating these funds would ultimately diminish resources for public schools. “They have less money for (staff) raises,” he articulated during a speech in Lexington. “They have less money for resources for our students. They have less to do everything that we ask them to do.”
Both Paul and Beshear are highly regarded in Kentucky, each having won three statewide elections and demonstrating ambitions for the national political arena. Paul previously ran for president in 2016 but did not gain traction against frontrunner Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Beshear was a candidate for selection as Kamala Harris’ running mate but ultimately lost out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Paul, serving his third term in the Senate, is not facing reelection until 2028, while Beshear is term-limited after his current term concludes in late 2027.
Significant financial contributions have been made to reinforce viewpoints on the school choice debate, with millions of dollars invested in campaigns supporting both sides. AdImpact, an organization that monitors campaign spending, reported that two principal groups advocating on this issue had invested approximately equal amounts in advertisements up to this point, specifically around $4.4 million combined. However, Protect Our Schools Kentucky, which opposes the amendment, has significantly more funding committed for advertisements leading up to the election.
This Kentucky ballot measure is one of three school choice propositions that voters will face in November. In Colorado, voters will weigh in on a proposal to establish a constitutional right to school choice for K-12 students, while Nebraska residents will decide on the repeal of a recent state law that uses public funds for private school tuition.
The topic of school choice has gained traction across numerous states, with many now providing some form of financial assistance for private school attendance. The ongoing discussions in Kentucky serve as a pivotal moment for both Beshear and Paul, experts note, illustrating their influence in the state’s political landscape. Analyst Al Cross remarked on their differing ideologies regarding an issue that used to unite members of both parties.
Past disagreements between Paul and Beshear have included criticisms of the governor’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the tension between their political perspectives. The Kentucky legislature, which holds a Republican supermajority, placed the school choice proposal on the ballot. This initiative would not define the mechanisms for diverting funds but would rather enable lawmakers to consider creating frameworks for supporting students at private institutions through options like tax credit scholarships and education savings accounts.
The debate holds a particular significance for rural Kentucky communities, where public schools are central to local economies and employment structures. Opponents of the amendment are focusing on rural voters, with Beshear warning that passing Amendment 2 would redirect resources from public education systems in rural areas to less accountable urban private schools. “If Amendment 2 passes, you will see dollars move from rural Kentucky school systems into unaccountable urban private schools,” he cautioned.
In advocating for the amendment, Paul highlighted concerning statistics about statewide test scores, revealing that less than half of Kentucky’s public school students achieve “proficient” or “distinguished” ratings in core subjects like math and reading. He argues that increasing school choice would empower low-income families to find suitable educational environments, promoting the possibility of breaking the cycle of generational poverty. “Public schools can and do great things,” Paul acknowledged. “But for some children, generation after generation, we’ve got to try something that’s a little bit different.”
The discussions surrounding school choice in Kentucky have been ongoing for years, especially as the Republican-controlled legislature has sought to expand options. Earlier efforts faced legal challenges, prompting the current movement to amend the state’s constitution. In 2022, the Kentucky Supreme Court rejected a Republican-backed initiative aimed at providing tax credits for donations assisting private school tuition. Currently, the state constitution allows taxpayer funds solely for “common schools,” a designation interpreted by state courts to mean public institutions.