FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Public schools in Kentucky would have to display "In God We Trust" in a prominent location next school year under a bill that has cleared the state House of Representatives.
The Republican-dominated chamber approved House Bill 46 on Wednesday by a vote of 72-25. It would require public schools to display the national motto in a prominent location beginning with the 2019-'20 school year. There are no penalties if schools don't comply, but someone could sue to force them to do it.
Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Brandon Reed said the motto reflects an essential part of what it means to be an American. But Democratic state Rep. Kelly Flood voted against the bill, saying lawmakers should practice tolerance, saying people are called to be citizens, not comparatively better Christians.