By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-950093.mp3
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- – Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear continues her crusade to raise the state's drop out age from 16 to 18. She implored the House Education Committee Wednesday to approve the so-called Graduation Bill.
Mrs. Beshear says the current law hasn't changed since 1934.
"In 1934, many of our students left school to go to the farms or go into the mines. Today, you can't work on a farm or work in the mines without some education. As a matter of fact, you can't even join the military unless you have a high school diploma."
Similar legislation passed the House last year only to die in the Senate. House education committee member Jim DeCesare (R-Rockfield) voted no Wednesday.
"The method to pay for this legislation is undetermined. And any financial benefits of the legislation are also undetermined. And until that financial aspect of this legislation is cleared up its hard for me and my superintendents, and my school board members in my district, to support this legislation," said DeCesare.
Republican Reps. Bill Farmer and Ben Waide also voted no, but the measure passed out of the committee 20-3 and now heads to a full House vote.