Gov. Bill Lee's school voucher bill soars through House committees
The process didn't come without some resistance from Democrats, who strongly oppose the bill, claiming it would take funding from public schools, among other concerns.
Just two hours before the first House committee hearing, lawmakers filed a lengthy amendment that would require a sample of students who receive a voucher to take a standardized test like TCAP—the same test administered in public schools—so the state could compare scores.
PHOTOS: Protesters convene at TN State Capitol
In addition, the amendment prioritizes which public school districts would receive funding generated from sports betting, which the bill promises it will allocate to public schools to use for maintenance and construction. The amendment says districts in at-risk and distressed counties and high performing, fast growing districts would get first dibs at the money. Then, any districts facing natural disaster recovery could receive money. If there is any funding left, the remaining districts could apply for the money.
During the House Education Committee hearing, Democrats tried their best to pick apart the bill, questioning the sponsor and witnesses testifying on the bill, however, just before the vote, Republicans blocked them from asking any more questions.
Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) called the act 'authoritarianism.'
'They can't answer questions on their bill because it's bad, because the people don't want it; they don't care. This is about billionaire interests from outside of our state. That's what all of this is about,' Johnson told News 2's Tori Gessner.
However, Republicans in favor of the bill say it's about giving parents more options to choose the best education for their child.
'This money doesn't come from TISA, period, it comes from the general fund,' House Majority Leader William Lamberth said. 'There is no money coming from public schools at all. I know you don't want to believe it, but yes, that is absolutely too good for both parties. You may not want to believe it, but it's true. Public schools will continue to receive all the money and then some they're going to receive, and we're setting up a scholarship fund. It is very different from really anything anybody has done in the nation.'
The bill easily passed both the House Education and Government Operations committees, along a party-line vote. The bill also passed the Finance, Ways and Means Committee Tuesday evening.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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