In Kentucky, voters will soon have a say on a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would allow the state to provide public funding for private schools

Known as Amendment 2, the proposal will go before voters in November and would allow the legislature to fund educational institutions not within the public school system.

The original bill passed both houses of the General Assembly in a largely party-line vote. Nearly all Republican members voted in favor, while all Democratic members either voted against it or abstained.

During the House debate in March, Democratic Rep. Rachel Roarx of Louisville argued that the bill is a “Pandora’s box” that could give lawmakers the power to pass all sorts of laws that voters cannot predict.

Republican Rep. James Tipton of Taylorsville rejected those concerns, telling The Courier-Journal: “My thought today is going to be to put my faith and trust in the voters of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to make this decision.”

Progressives have also voiced concern that allowing public money for private schools could equate to less money going to public schools. The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy estimates that if Kentucky were to establish a school voucher program comparable to the one in Florida, it would cost $1.19 billion annually, or the equivalent of employing more than nine thousand Kentucky public school employees. 

However, not as many public-school employees would be needed if public school enrollment drops because of the proposal.