STATEMENT RELEASE:

SEN. DONALD DOUGLAS ON SCHOOL CHOICE

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT #2

FRANKFORT, KY. (June 11, 2024) – The following is a statement from Senator Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville, on Constitutional Amendment #2 School Choice appearing on the November ballot.

A YES vote on Amendment 2 this November is a bipartisan measure that would give more students and parents more choices. The public needs to understand Amendment 2 would not automatically implement any immediate changes. Instead, it would empower the people’s legislature to explore ways to expand educational opportunities for Kentucky students, a crucial step towards a more inclusive and diverse education system.

Currently, Kentucky is an outlier when it comes to school choice opportunities for lower-income families. Under the status quo, only those of means have the freedom to choose their child's education. We believe that every Kentucky family, regardless of socioeconomic status, should have this right.

A 2024 Kids Count Data Profile report released just yesterday showed that education scores in Kentucky have worsened. This is despite the fact that education spending makes up the largest share of state revenue allocations. If the Kentucky legislature was out to destroy public education, as some of the opponents of this amendment suggest, it would not have over a billion in new dollars for K-12 public education in this year’s budget.

States ranking ahead of Kentucky in educational outcomes have some kind of school choice, such as public charter schools. While opponents of Amendment 2 are unwilling to consider how we can improve our educational system, states across the nation and in every direction have already shown us the positive benefits of educational freedom and parental choice. School choice has not come at the expense of public education, rather, a rising tide lifts all ships.

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Senator Donald Douglas, M.D., R-Nicholasville, represents the 22nd Senate District, including Garrard and Jessamine Counties and a southwestern portion of Fayette County. Douglas serves as co-chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services. He is a member of the Government Contract REview Committee and the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee.  Additionally, Douglas is a member of the Interim joint committees on Appropriations and Revenue; Banking and Insurance; Health Services; Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of Douglas, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=122.