Latest news with #TennesseeSmallBusinessAlliance
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Economically Reckless' Businesses Slam Bill to Bar Immigrant Kids From School
This article was originally published in Tennessee Lookout. More than two dozen Chattanooga business owners are condemning a bill to require student immigration background checks in Tennessee's public schools as 'economically reckless.' The Tennessee Small Business Alliance represents restaurants, real estate firms, retail stores and other local employers operating within the district represented by Sen. Bo Watson. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Watson, a Republican, is cosponsoring the legislation to require proof of legal residence to enroll in public K-12 and charter schools. The bill would also give public schools the option of charging tuition to the families of children unable to prove they legally reside in the United States – or to deny them the right to a public education altogether. House Leader William Lamberth of Gallatin is a co-sponsor of the bill, which has drawn significant — but not unanimous — support from fellow Tennessee Republicans. Lamberth's version of the bill differs from Watson's in that it would make it optional — rather than mandatory — to check students' immigration status in all of Tennessee's more than 1700 public schools. The bill, one of the most controversial being considered during the 2025 Legislative session, has significant momentum as the Legislature winds down for the year even as it has drawn raucous protests at times. The legislation will next be debated on Monday in a House committee. A statement released by the business alliance described the legislation as a 'political stunt that's cruel, economically reckless, and completely out of step with local values.' Citing estimates compiled by the nonprofit advocacy organization, American Immigration Council, the statement noted that more than 430,000 immigrants in Tennessee paid $4.4 billion in taxes – more than $10,000 per immigrant. Watson, in an emailed statement from Chattanooga public relations firm Waterhouse Public Relations, said his bill 'raises important questions about the financial responsibility of educating undocumented students in Tennessee—questions that have long gone unaddressed.' The statement said the Supreme Court's 1982 decision in Plyler v. Doe, which established the right to a public school education for all children regardless of immigration status, has 'never been re-examined in the context of today's challenges.' The statement said Watson is committed to a 'transparent, fact-driven discussion about how Tennessee allocates its educational resources and how federal mandates impact our state's budget and priorities.' Watson has previously also said the legislation was prompted, in part, by the rising costs of English-language instruction in the state's public schools. Democrats have criticized that argument as based on inaccurate assumptions that English language learners lack legal immigration status. Kelly Fitzgerald, founder of a Chattanooga co-working business and one of 27 employers that signed onto the statement of condemnation, criticized lawmakers. 'Do our representatives believe that undocumented children — who had no say in their immigration status — should be denied a public education, even though their families already pay taxes that fund our schools?' said Fitzgerald, whose own children attend Hamilton County Public schools 'My children are receiving a great education in our public schools, and I want every child to have the same rights and opportunities as mine do,' she said. 'In my opinion, this is not something our legislators should be spending their resources on when there are much larger issues at hand in the current environment,' she said. 'We should leave children out of the conversation.' Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tennessee Sen. Bo Watson draws backlash from business leaders in his district for bill targeting immigrant students
A Tennessee senator is drawing rebuke from business owners in his own district for a controversial bill targeting undocumented students. The Tennessee Small Business Alliance, a statewide small business advocacy organization, condemned SB 836 which would require all schools in Tennessee to verify children have legal immigration or visa status prior to enrolling. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, who has has argued undocumented students are potentially a financial drain on Tennessee school resources, citing a rise in English language learners in the state. The accompanying house bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, would not impose requirements on local schools, the Tennessean previously reported. In a statement, small business owner and constituent of Watson, Kelly Fitzgerald, said the bill is "not something legislators should be spending their resources on when there are much larger issues at hand in the current environment." "We should leave children out of the conversation," she added. The legislation, if passed, would open the door for policies that could "deprive millions of undocumented students across the country of their right to an education" said the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition in a social media post. "The ripple effects would be devastating, not only for Tennessee's schools and communities but for our nation's future workforce, economy and core values," read the post. On Tuesday, April 1, the Senate Finance committee voted 7-4 to advance SB 836. Here's what else to know about the bill and why it has become one of the most fiercely contested pieces of legislation that Tennessee lawmakers are debating this session. Earlier this month, Fitzgerald joined 20 other business owners in urging Watson to abandon the bill. In a statement, she described the legislation as a "political stunt that's cruel, economically reckless and completely out of step with local values." "My children are receiving a great education in our public schools, and I want every child to have the same rights and opportunities as mine do," she said. "Do our representatives believe that undocumented children — who had no say in their immigration status — should be denied a public education, even though their families already pay taxes that fund our schools?' On April 1, over 20 Chattanooga-area businesses condemned the bill, disputing Watson and Lambeth's claims that the bill addresses fiscal concerns. The bill's fiscal note states the proposed legislation may jeopardize federal funding to the state and to local governments, however, exact impacts remain uncertain due to "unknown factors." In 2023, Tennessee received a total of $3,368,495,310 in federal funding. "Going after children to deny them an education when he knows it is already paid for by immigrants in our state isn't just cruel — it's unethical, fiscally irresponsible, and politically desperate," said the alliance in a statement. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been critical toward SB 836 and the companion House bill. On Monday, Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, sided with Democrats to oppose the bill. House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, slammed the bill, calling it a drain on state resources. "Our country has a broken immigration system. This isn't going to fix it. It's going to discriminate against innocent children who have no idea if they're undocumented or not," Clemmons said. "This is an education bill about punishing innocent children." Despite both bills firmly advancing in the General Assembly, final votes will likely not fall along party lines reported the Tennessean. Since being introduced, committee meetings have drawn hundreds of impassioned protestors. One protestor, Lynne McFarland, was arrested by Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers earlier this month and later carried away from her seat and to a patrol car. Contributing: Melissa Brown Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee bill targeting immigrant students draws business backlash
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Economically reckless' Small businesses slam bill to bar immigrant kids from school
Sens. Bo Watson, R-Hixon, and John Stevens, R-Hungtindon Watson is sponsoring a bill that would allow public schools to deny an education to some immigrant children.(Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) More than two dozen Chattanooga business owners are condemning a bill to require student immigration background checks in Tennessee's public schools as 'economically reckless.' The Tennessee Small Business Alliance represents restaurants, real estate firms, retail stores and other local employers operating within the district represented by Sen. Bo Watson. Watson, a Republican, is cosponsoring the legislation to require proof of legal residence to enroll in public K-12 and charter schools. The bill would also give public schools the option of charging tuition to the families of children unable to prove they legally reside in the United States – or to deny them the right to a public education altogether. House Leader William Lamberth of Gallatin is a co-sponsor of the bill, which has drawn significant — but not unanimous — support from fellow Tennessee Republicans. Lamberth's version of the bill differs from Watson's in that it would make it optional — rather than mandatory — to check students' immigration status in all of Tennessee's more than 1700 public schools. Bill to bar certain immigrant kids from Tennessee public schools advances in Senate The bill, one of the most controversial being considered during the 2025 Legislative session, has significant momentum as the Legislature winds down for the year even as it has drawn raucous protests at times. The legislation will next be debated on Monday in a House committee. A statement released by the business alliance described the legislation as a 'political stunt that's cruel, economically reckless, and completely out of step with local values.' Citing estimates compiled by the nonprofit advocacy organization, American Immigration Council, the statement noted that more than 430,000 immigrants in Tennessee paid $4.4 billion in taxes – more than $10,000 per immigrant. Watson, in an emailed statement from Chattanooga public relations firm Waterhouse Public Relations, said his bill 'raises important questions about the financial responsibility of educating undocumented students in Tennessee—questions that have long gone unaddressed.' The statement said the Supreme Court's 1982 decision in Plyler v. Doe, which established the right to a public school education for all children regardless of immigration status, has 'never been re-examined in the context of today's challenges.' The statement said Watson is committed to a 'transparent, fact-driven discussion about how Tennessee allocates its educational resources and how federal mandates impact our state's budget and priorities.' Do our representatives believe that undocumented children — who had no say in their immigration status — should be denied a public education, even though their families already pay taxes that fund our schools? – Kelly Fitzgerald, Chattanooga business owner Watson has previously also said the legislation was prompted, in part, by the rising costs of English-language instruction in the state's public schools. Democrats have criticized that argument as based on inaccurate assumptions that English language learners lack legal immigration status. Kelly Fitzgerald, founder of a Chattanooga co-working business and one of 27 employers that signed onto the statement of condemnation, criticized lawmakers.' 'Do our representatives believe that undocumented children — who had no say in their immigration status — should be denied a public education, even though their families already pay taxes that fund our schools?' said Fitzgerald, whose own children attend Hamilton County Public schools 'My children are receiving a great education in our public schools, and I want every child to have the same rights and opportunities as mine do,' she said. 'In my opinion, this is not something our legislators should be spending their resources on when there are much larger issues at hand in the current environment,' she said. 'We should leave children out of the conversation.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
