On Wednesday, Governor Andy Beshear vetoed two bills that he says would hurt educators and undermine public education.

Beshear vetoed House Bill 258 and House Bill 563.

The governor had this to say about House Bill 258:

"It would cut retirement benefits for new teachers, harming the commonwealth’s ability to attract and retain educators.

"This measure comes at the same time the General Assembly has cut more than $70 million the Governor’s proposed budget would provide to help support health insurance benefits for educators’ families. The General Assembly also cut raises for school employees that were included in the Governor’s budget."

The governor had this to say about House Bill 563:

"The bill would greatly harm public education in Kentucky by taking money away from public schools and sending it to unaccountable private organizations with little oversight. HB 563 would also drain as much as $25 million from public education."

"This measure would establish private educational institutions that would decide how to spend public money and could use up to 10% of these public funds on their own employee salaries, benefits and expenses."

The governor also signed five new bills today that he says protect Kentucky students' health and secure more pathways for themto pursue their goals.