Image Credit: capitol.tn. gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
New legislation could expand the school voucher program in Tennessee to Hamilton County and possibly beyond. The bill is set to be heard by the House Education Administration Committee on March 29th.
House Bill 0433 (HB0433), sponsored by State Representative Mark White (R-Memphis-District 83), would expand eligibility for an education savings account to Hamilton County students. The companion Senate Bill 0012 (SB0012), sponsored by Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10), passed the Senate on February 16th.
According to White, he is also looking to add Knox County to the list of eligible districts, expanding the program to all four of Tennessee’s urban areas.
Some Republicans have pushed to expand the voucher system even further, with Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20) filing an amendment to include the entire state.
White noted that he has requested that Richey save that bill for next year because he does not want to risk killing the Senate bill that has already passed.
If you would like to show your support for House Bill 0433, contact members of the House Education Administration Committee prior to their March 29 meeting using the contact information below:
Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) – rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4415
Rep. William Slater (R-Gallatin) – rep.william.slater@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-2534
Rep. Charlie Baum (R-Murfreesboro) – rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-6849
Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) – rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-6808
Rep. Ed Butler (R-Rickman) – rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-1260
Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston) – rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-7658
Rep. Ron Gant (R-Piperton) – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-6890
Rep. John Gillespie (R-Memphis) – rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-8201
Rep. Kirk Haston (R-Lobelville) – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-0750
Rep. Chris Hurt (R-Halls) – rep.chris.hurt@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-2134
Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) – rep.justin.jones@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-2184
Rep. Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville) – rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4110
Rep. Harold Love, Jr. (D-Nashville) – rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-3831
Rep. Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville) – rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-0768
Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) – rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4575
Rep. John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge) – rep.john.ragan@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4400
Rep. Robert Stevens (R-Smyrna) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-3830
Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill) – rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4170
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
One Response
More 14th Amendment-violating legislation from the Republican supermajority. Time for a lawsuit from anybody with kids in the other 90 counties. They should not be discriminating against 99% of k-12 students with their cherry-picked recipients and lotteries.