NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Governor Bill Lee’s proposed school voucher bill, which would allow taxpayers’ money to be used for students to attend private schools or other educational options, is rapidly advancing through the Tennessee State House. The bill, which has passed two key committees, is now on track to be debated on the House floor as early as Wednesday evening.
The proposal, known as the Education Savings Account bill, has faced staunch resistance from Democratic lawmakers, who argue it would divert crucial funds away from public schools, exacerbating existing challenges in the education system. Despite this opposition, Republicans have defended the bill as a way to give parents more control over their children’s education and provide options beyond traditional public schooling.
Just hours before the bill’s first House committee hearing, an amendment was filed that introduced additional conditions for the voucher program. The amendment mandates that students who receive a voucher must take the state’s standardized tests, such as the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP), to allow for comparison of test scores between public and private school students. This provision seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in the program.
The amendment also addresses the allocation of funds from sports betting, which the bill proposes to channel into public school maintenance and construction. Under the new language, funding would be prioritized for at-risk and distressed school districts, as well as high-performing, fast-growing districts. Districts impacted by natural disasters would also be given priority. Any remaining funds could be distributed to other districts in need.
During a hearing before the House Education Committee, Democrats raised a series of questions aimed at challenging the bill’s intentions and potential consequences. Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) sharply criticized the measure, calling it “authoritarianism” and accusing it of prioritizing the interests of wealthy, out-of-state billionaires over the needs of Tennessee’s students.
“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,” Johnson said, speaking with News 2’s Tori Gessner.
Despite these concerns, Republicans have maintained that the bill will not harm public schools. House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) insisted that the funds used for the voucher program would not come from the state’s public school budget, but rather from the general fund.
“This money doesn’t come from TISA, period, it comes from the general fund,” Lamberth explained. “Public schools will continue to receive all the money and then some. We’re setting up a scholarship fund that is very different from anything anyone has done in the nation.”
The bill cleared both the House Education and Government Operations Committees with party-line votes, with Republicans voting in favor and Democrats opposing. It also passed the Finance, Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday evening.
With the bill moving quickly through the legislative process, the debate over school choice and funding for public education is expected to intensify in the coming days. As the bill heads to the House floor, it remains to be seen whether it will garner enough support to pass or face further hurdles.
Critics of the voucher program continue to argue that it could undermine the quality of public schools by diverting essential resources, while proponents insist that it provides much-needed alternatives for parents and students.
The outcome of this legislation could have a lasting impact on the state’s education system, sparking ongoing discussions about the balance between public and private school funding in Tennessee.
