Robust debate in Frankfort today over a constitutional amendment on school choice.

Just one day after a House bill to passed a specially called committee, the bill was put on to vote for the in the House floor.

The bill is sponsored by State Representative Suzanne Miles, a Republican from Owensboro and House GOP caucus chair.

It would ask a Kentucky voters to decide if the state's constitution should be changed to allow future state lawmakers to consider providing financial support for students who are not in public schools.

State Representative Chris Fugit from Chaves was one of three Republicans to speak against the bill today, citing the needs that still exist in his area after historic flooding.

We have needs in our education system, in the mountains and whether people, some people, it appears sometimes really don't give two hoots about eastern Kentucky.

Some of my teachers and Hillsborough, we county are eligible for government assistance.

I said to start this conversation, I'm for House Bill two.

After the needs are met that we have already in the education system, we have.

Several Democrats also spoke against the bill many times.

They were ruled out of order by the speaker of the House for making comments that he says were not focused on the bill.

That something the bill's sponsor reminded Democratic State Representative George Brown.

We are talking about a constitutional amendment.

Our constitu lution from 1891.

In 1891, we did not have the internet in 1891.

Quite frankly, a third of us would not be allowed to be on this floor having this conversation right now in 1891.

You are neither one would be allowed to vote.

So the discussion today is whether or not we put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November for the voters to decide if they want the General Assembly to have the conversation.

Not mandate, not insist.

There are no items in this bill with any funding, any roles, any regulations, anything to that matter.

It is solely to put an amendment on the ballot to give the voters a choice, to make a decision if they want us to have that conversation.

The debate lasted more than 2 hours.

Ultimately, House Bill two passed on a vote of 65 to 32.

It now moves on to the Senate with just nine days left in the 2024 General Assembly session.