Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
The House Education Administration Committee has deferred action for what looks to be the fifth time, on a bill that would expand the eligibility criteria for Tennessee’s Education Savings Account (ESA) pilot program.
House Bill 0433 (HB0433) is sponsored by Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis-District 83), and its corresponding Senate bill, SB0012, which was passed on the Senate floor back in February, is sponsored by Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10).
Tennessee’s ESA Pilot Program, which provides resource funding and school vouchers for students attending priority schools, has only been implemented in Davidson and Shelby County up until this point.
Although the proposed legislation initially sought to add only Hamilton County to the pilot program, the bill sponsors have since added Knox County to their request as well which would expand ESA program opportunities to all four of the state’s urban areas.
On Wednesday, Rep. White presented HB0433 in front of the committee and was met by several school voucher related questions that he could not personally answer.
When Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis-District 98) requested that the committee be able to hear from someone with the Department of Education, Vice-Chair William Slater (R-Gallatin-District 35) denied that request saying, “The bill before us is a pretty clear bill that expands the ESA program which is already in place. So, I don’t think that it’s necessary for us to include the department at this point.”
Rep. Ron Gant (R-Piperton-District 94) responded to this saying, “Not many times do I join in, agreeing with a colleague of mine that’s a Democrat, but I too have questions […] I may come back next year and request that one of my LEAs be included in the ESA program. So, this is I think a very important discussion to be had.”
Not wanting to use up all the committee’s time, Rep. White eventually decided to roll HB0433 to the following week’s calendar.
As the committee Chair, Rep. White also conceded that in order to satisfy everyone’s questions, they would find time to talk with the Department of Education about the voucher program before voting on the bill.
HB0433 has been rescheduled for consideration by The House Education Administration Committee on April 12th, 2023.
If you wish to express your opinion on this legislation, use the contact information below to get in touch with the committee representatives.
Rep. Mark White (R) (Chair) – rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4415
Rep. William Slater – (R) (Vice-Chair) – rep.william.slater@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-2534
Rep. Charlie Baum (R) – rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-6849
Rep. Gino Bulso (R) – rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-6808
Rep. Ed Butler (R) – rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-1260
Rep. Monty Fritts (R) – rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-7658
Rep. Ron Gant (R) – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-6890
Rep. John Gillespie (R) – rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-8201
Rep. Kirk Haston (R) – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-0750
Rep. Chris Hurt (R) – rep.chris.hurt@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-2134
Rep. Justin Lafferty (R) – rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4110
Rep. Harold Love, Jr. (D) – rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-3831
Rep. Sam McKenzie (D) – rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-0768
Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D) – rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4575
Rep. John Ragan (R) – rep.john.ragan@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4400
Rep. Robert Stevens (R) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-3830
Rep. Todd Warner (R) – rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4170
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
