Governor Bill Lee’s bill to give students private school vouchers in Tennessee appears to be dying. The intent was to let 20,000 public school students go to private institutions across the state and give them $7,000 each.
For four weeks lawmakers have rolled Gov. Lee’s voucher plan, but as the session starts to wind down, many wonder if the different bills in the Senate and House are dead or alive.
“Well, it’s not dead in the Senate,” said Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin). “As the sponsor in the Senate, it’s not dead unless I take it off notice and I haven’t done that.”
Sen. Johnson said he is still pushing the Senate version of the bill. That one requires all students to take standardized tests and has open enrollment.
The House bill eases testing requirements and has more teacher benefits.
WSMV4 asked Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton where the House version of the bill stands.
In a statement, he said:
“Our conversations with the Senate and the governor are ongoing. We will continue our conversations in hopes that we can reach an agreement before the session ends. We all agreed not to move the bill forward if a consensus cannot be reached.”
Democrats who want nothing to do with vouchers hope both versions are done.
“I really hope the education voucher bill is dead,” said Representative Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville). “It’s been the governor’s soul thing that he’s pushed, and I think it just doesn’t make sense to spend public dollars on private education.”
Sen. Johnson said the Senate plans to take up the voucher bill later this week. The Senate did pass its budget on Tuesday, it did not include the $400-million House voucher plan. Story courtesy of WVLT – WSMV
