Maryville, Tenn. – On the second day of Tennessee’s special legislative session, former President Donald Trump voiced his support for Governor Bill Lee’s proposed school voucher bill, which has become a focal point of debate in the state. In a post to social media on Tuesday, Trump expressed his backing for the governor’s efforts, emphasizing that education control should be handled at the state level.
Trump’s endorsement came as House Bill 1, a revised version of Lee’s universal school voucher plan, was up for discussion. The bill would allow Tennessee parents to use taxpayer money to pay for private school tuition. This proposal is a renewed attempt to pass a voucher program that failed in the state assembly last year.
Under the new plan, the state would offer 20,000 scholarships, each worth approximately $7,000, to help cover the cost of private schooling. Half of these scholarships would be reserved for families with low incomes or children with disabilities. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for a $2,000 salary increase for teachers and funding for public school construction projects.
Currently, the voucher program operates in three counties, including Shelby, where 707 students were approved for vouchers during the 2022-2023 school year, according to the Tennessee Lookout. While many parents have found success in using the program, critics argue that the plan could divert crucial resources away from Tennessee’s public schools.
Opponents, including organizations such as Tennessee For All and the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH), have voiced concerns that the voucher system undermines public education by channeling taxpayer dollars to private institutions. They argue that public schools, already facing financial challenges, could suffer further setbacks as a result.
As the special session continues, the school voucher debate remains at the forefront of Tennessee’s legislative agenda, with passionate arguments on both sides about the future of education funding in the state.
