Image Credit: Marco Verch / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Last week, a bill to include Hamilton County in Tennessee’s Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program was deferred by a week during a meeting of the House K-12 Subcommittee.
House Bill 0433 (HB0433), sponsored by Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis-District 83), would give more students access to the state’s school voucher program which covers things like tutoring costs, post-secondary education course fees, and tuition related expenses for approved private schools.
Currently the program is only available to students attending priority schools in Shelby County and Davidson County, and this legislation would simply expand the program to include eligible students in Hamilton County as well.
The Senate version of this bill, SB0012, was brought by Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10) and passed with a vote of 20-6 in the Senate on February 16th, 2023.
HB0433 has been rescheduled for a hearing in the House K-12 Subcommittee at 4:30pm (CST) tomorrow, February 28th, 2023.
If you would like to support this legislation, contact information for all the representatives on the subcommittee can be found below.
Rep. Kirk Haston (R) – Chair – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0750
Rep. Gino Bulso (R) – rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6808
Rep. Chris Hurt (R) – rep.chris.hurt@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2134
Rep. Sam McKenzie (D) – rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0768
Rep. Bryan Richey (R) – rep.bryan.richey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3560
Rep. William Slater (R) – rep.william.slater@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2534
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
Rep. Mark White (R) – Bill Sponsor – rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4415
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.
