Despite the best efforts of the billionaire voucher lobby, the Tennessee legislature rejected vouchers!
Vouchers are dead for this session, although they were Governor Lee’s top priority. Republicans have a supermajority in both houses of the Legislature. But some Republicans listened to their constituents, not the out-of-state money.
Democrats have long opposed the program, likening the voucher program to “coupons” for wealthy families who already send their children to private school, and warned it could endanger funding for public schools.
Dozens of school boards — many in conservative parts of the state — and other local officials, along with major teachers groups, opposed the bill.
Despite Republican leaders frequently signaling optimism for the negotiations, the bill was constantly delayed in committees. For months, there has been little public indication that any significant progress was made toward a compromise.
Parents, teachers and other citizens won the day!