NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The session won't start until 2025, but Tennessee lawmakers are already expressing their platitudes for a new piece of legislation that would bring school vouchers statewide.
Gov. Bill Lee spoke on the issue Wednesday afternoon in a press conference, where he said he wanted this voucher package to represent both school choice and public schools.
"I certainly hope the general assembly believes that parents deserve the right to choose," Lee said. "I think they are moving in that direction. You have seen a piece of legislation put together by the general assembly and the governor's office. What this is is a chance for parents to choose at levels we've never funded before and make sure that both opportunities for education freedom do exist, and no public schools are to lose funding in the process."
House Majority Leader William Lamberth and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson introduced the legislation Wednesday morning dubbed the Education Freedom Act of 2025.
"We believe in public education," Johnson, R-Franklin, said. "At the same time, however, we recognize that not all public education alternatives or options are going to be the best fit for a particular child. This scholarship program is going to empower those parents to make the best education decisions they can for their child."