(ASSOCIATED PRESS) -- Kentucky's House of Representatives and Senate have overridden Gov. Matt Bevin's veto of a $480 million tax hike that helps pay for increases in public education spending.
The Republican-controlled House voted 57-40 to override the GOP governor's veto of House bill 366. The Senate followed suit. The bill raises revenue for the state over the next two years. It includes a six percent sales tax on a variety of services, including auto and home repairs, to pay for higher classroom spending.
Bevin vetoed the tax increase because he said it would not generate enough money to cover new state spending. Republican legislative leaders disagreed.
Bevin tweeted after the House overrode his veto, he will call a special session to pass a transparent and properly balanced budget.
He went on to tweet the only reason he did not call a special session last year is because of Jeff Hoover was facing allegations of sexual harassment. Bevin said the outcome of that situation "was chaos in the KY House that stopped everything."
RELATED: Teachers rally in Frankfort for veto override
Also on Friday, the House and Senate vetoed a two-year state spending plan that increases education funding with the help of a $480 million tax increase. The House's vote was 66-28 to override Bevin's veto of House Bill 200. The Senate vote was 34-4 for the governor's veto override for the budget bill.
This bill authorizes the state to spend $4,000 for every public school student, that is the highest level in state history.
The increase is possible because of the $480 million tax increase.
Bevin had vetoed both bills, the budget and tax bills, warning the new taxes would not generate enough money to cover the new spending. Thousands of public school teachers rallied Friday at the Capitol, urging lawmakers to override the vetoes anyway.