30-01-2025
NE TN House delegation splits 4-4 as vouchers pass
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Four Northeast Tennessee House members voted against the school voucher bill Thursday and four voted for it as the bill passed fairly narrowly, 53-45. The bill is now being debated in the Senate.
LIVE: Tennessee Senate considers school vouchers after House passes bill
Tim Hicks (R-Gray), who has consistently expressed strong support of a statewide voucher bill, was joined in the 'aye' column by Timothy Hill (R-Blountville), John Crawford (R-Kingsport) and Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport). Crawford and Hulsey had told News Channel 11 they were undecided on the bill at the end of last week, while Hill has not responded to requests for comment.
A total of 21 Republicans joined the House's 24 Democrats on the losing side, including local representatives Rebecca Alexander (Jonesborough), David Hawk (Greeneville), Gary Hicks (Rogersville) and Renea Jones (Erwin).
News Channel 11 has reached out to the members for comment and will update this story as we hear back from any of them.
'I voted in opposition to the proposed voucher plan, in accordance with the wishes of a majority of Greene County,' Hawk said in a text message minutes after the vote.
From Rebecca Alexander:
It was my greatest honor to stand up for what I felt what District 7 would want me to do. The letters and phone calls I received were around 10-1 against the voucher bill. I am in Nashville because you trusted me to represent you and I'm honored to do that and will continue to do so. We have the best public schools in our area and I am confident they will continue to be excellent and I promise to support them in Nashville.
From Bud Hulsey:
I voted 'yes' because 72% of my District appear to believe that it is good for parents to have a direct say in the type of education provided to their children, but with the full assurance that our local schools are fully protected and will lose nothing.
From Renea Jones:
The people of the Fourth House District elected me to be their voice in Nashville. Over the course of two months, I have met with parents, teachers, administrators, and citizens-at-large to ascertain how the Education Freedom Act ('vouchers') would impact Carter and Unicoi counties. After receiving over six hundred calls and emails through our office, and looking at the facts, I chose to vote against the Education Freedom Act. I feel that the legislation falls short of addressing the concerns our public education system faces. However, that was not the consensus of a majority of the legislature.
From Tim Hicks:
Education has a brighter future starting today. We will continue to support public education as the highest priority. There's nothing more important than giving our parents a choice for the education that best fits their child's needs.
(This is developing story)
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