NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Thursday, Tennessee legislators passed a significant bill that vastly increases the number of families eligible to use taxpayer funds for private schooling, irrespective of their income. This marks a notable achievement for Republican Governor Bill Lee, who received support from former President Donald Trump to sway final holdouts within his party.
The legislation is now headed for Governor Lee’s almost guaranteed approval. If enacted, Tennessee will join a select group of states—over a dozen—that have removed strict income guidelines previously mandatory for families seeking public financial assistance to opt for alternatives to public education.
In a statement, Lee expressed his belief in the importance of both exceptional public schools and parental choice in education, asserting, “Today is a milestone in advancing education in Tennessee.” The proposed plan would make available 20,000 education vouchers, each worth around $7,000, starting next year. Of these, half will specifically serve students from low-income backgrounds, those with disabilities, or others qualifying for the new program, while the other half will be open to any student eligible for public schooling.
The approvals in the House and Senate took place during a special session called by Lee, allowing lawmakers to zero in on this issue rather than addressing it amidst a broader range of topics in the extended regular session. This specialized gathering commenced on Monday.
Former President Trump took to social media earlier this week to commend Tennessee lawmakers for their efforts, backing the school choice initiative wholeheartedly. The Trump administration also advised the U.S. Education Department to prioritize school choice programs and provide states with fresh guidelines regarding the use of federal funds to support K-12 voucher systems.
The conservative Club for Growth, which is running advertisements promoting the voucher initiative, also cautioned GOP legislators that they would financially back primary challengers against any who oppose the measure.
Proponents of the legislation argue that broadening school choice is vital for fostering parental rights and providing the best educational options for children. Lee even went so far as to label school choice as the “civil rights issue of our time” during the Republican National Convention.
However, Democratic lawmakers, although holding minimal power in Tennessee, have vocally criticized the governor’s voucher initiative, highlighting unexpected expenses seen in other states and emphasizing that the bill predominantly stands to benefit affluent families who do not require additional financial help. Analysts project that roughly two-thirds of the vouchers may likely go to students already enrolled in private institutions.
“This is welfare for the wealthy,” remarked Democratic Representative John Ray Clemmons during the legislative debate on Thursday.
Republican supporters of the bill defended the minimal income restrictions, arguing that parents deserve more choices regardless of their financial situation. “As the sponsor of this legislation, I’ve never once said that this was a program designed for disadvantaged families,” stated GOP Senator Jack Johnson.
This push for broader school voucher access comes amid heightened Republican scrutiny of public education across the nation in recent years. Critics have stated that some public schools delayed reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, attempted to impose restrictions on teachings about race and gender, and enacted laws limiting the participation of transgender athletes in school sports.
Despite the Republican support, history suggests that voter backing for school choice initiatives has struggled. In recent elections, Kentucky voters declined to pass measures that would permit public funding for private schooling, while Nebraska voters partially repealed a law that subsidized private education with taxpayer dollars. A proposed amendment in Colorado aimed at establishing a “right to school choice” was also defeated.
Tennessee has seen a variety of local school boards express their dissent against Lee’s voucher proposal, as teachers and students gathered at the Capitol, voicing their concerns and urging lawmakers not to divert public funds from education. On Thursday, some demonstrators distributed mock currency labeled as “voucher scam bribe.”
Another contentious issue arose concerning the testimonies from families of children with learning disabilities, who noted that private institutions often screen out students with specific impairments. A last-minute amendment to bar discrimination against disabled students was turned down by the House.
Since taking office in 2019, Lee has narrowly succeeded in establishing a school voucher scheme for low-income families in three counties. However, his attempts to introduce a statewide program without income restrictions were unsuccessful last year.
For the upcoming fiscal year, more than $400 million will be allocated to the voucher plan alongside other education initiatives, including $172 million for $2,000 one-time bonuses for teachers. Local school boards must agree to this bonus provision by passing a resolution, following opposition from several boards against vouchers.
Legislative budget analysts project that the new initiative will incur an annual cost of approximately $190.8 million in upcoming years. While Republicans have pointed to substantial financial commitments to K-12 education in recent years, Democrats highlight that Tennessee ranks low nationally regarding per-pupil funding for public education.
