Kentucky’s General Assembly is full-steam ahead tackling economic, social, and workforce issues. But as we move forward in 2018, we must not miss the opportunity to practice charity in our decisions.
This year, the Commonwealth should prioritize coming together to give back to our families, friends, and neighbors — especially those in need -— in a thoughtful and transformative manner.
Kentuckians can bring legislation that forever impacts the youngest generation: educational choice. Today, many students are sitting in the classroom that works best for them, public or nonpublic. Education, as we know, is a transformational experience that can determine the trajectory of a young person’s entire life.
But some students, because of cost, are not getting the educational opportunity that works best for them.
Kentucky can change that by instituting a Scholarship Tax Credit Program.
In 2017, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation that allows school districts across Kentucky to establish public charter schools. However, this will not meet the needs of families who require a non-public school option. Upper-income families in Kentucky have always enjoyed the ability to send their children to the school that best met their children’s needs. Providing their children with this type of opportunity is often as easy as opening a checkbook. Kentucky needs to provide parity for the rest.
With that in mind, I respectfully urge the Kentucky General Assembly and Governor Bevin to take the next step towards educational equality and establish a Scholarship Tax Credit program during the 2018 General Session.
A Scholarship Tax Credit program would encourage individuals and businesses to support nonprofit scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). SGO’s provide needs based assistance to lower- and middle-income families so that they can afford the cost of a non-public school education. If a Scholarship Tax Credit program is passed, these organizations would serve rural and urban communities, tailoring their programs to each community’s specific needs.
I ask all members of the General Assembly to come together in charity to take care of vulnerable populations around us. Working together to ensure every family can access the education of choice for their children is an important mission.
When it comes to delivering on the promise of a quality education, I believe Kentucky should take an “all of the above” approach. Providing as many quality options and avenues to access the right fit for every student is the best way to give our children the gift of a bright future. Let’s not allow another legislative session end without the promise of an education that best meets the needs of individual students.
Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz currently serves as the Archbishop of Louisville.
