Governor Lee signs Education Freedom Scholarship Act

Governor Lee speaking at Wednesday’s event (Photo by Governor Lee)

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed his signature piece of legislation for this year at the Capitol Wednesday surrounded by dozens of students, parents, and educators.

The Tennessee General Assembly approved the Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 225 during last month’s special session. The more than $400 million dollar piece of legislation, frequently referred to by opponents as “school vouchers,” will allow up to 20 thousand children across the state to use taxpayer dollars for private school expenses. The bill additionally includes multiple provisions to appease opponents, including a one-time $2,000 bonus for K-12 public school teachers and a provision that directs 80 percent of the revenue from sports wagering tax into an account dedicated to school facilities aid.

Lee thanked community supporters and the General Assembly for getting the legislation that’s been a goal of his for years, to the finish line.

“I learned a long time ago that education changes the trajectory of a child’s life forever and today we put in place a piece of legislation that will change the future of Tennessee forever, because it changes the trajectory of the next generation of Tennesseans,” said Lee. “Nobody knows and cares more for the success of a kid than their parents and when we give those parents a choice like they’ll now have, then we know that the outcomes for their children will be what the parent wants and that’s best for that child.”

Democrats in the General Assembly have universally opposed the legislation as an attempt to take money away from local school districts.  On Wednesday Representative John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, continued to express his opposition by sharing an edited picture of the bill signing with a post on X.

“Live look at a scam artist using private school kids as props for a voucher scam bill signing. Symbolic that front row seats are reserved for lobbyists, not parents. #LeesVoucherScam,” wrote Clemmons.

Organization TennesseeCAN was among the bill’s supporters in the crowd at Wednesday’s signing event. The group recently launched a new website, tn-can.org to share resources on school choice and other education issues with parents and education stakeholders.

TennesseeCAN Executive Director Chelsea Crawford praised the Education Freedom Scholarship Act as part of a “new education era.”

“With the 114th General Assembly’s passage of the Education Freedom Act, and $580 million in new investments proposed by Governor Bill Lee for our students, Tennessee is ensuring students have an even brighter and more promising future by both strengthening public schools and expanding school choice for families,” said Crawford. “It’s an exciting time for education policy in Tennessee, and while we have a new look, TennesseeCAN’s focus remains the same – what’s best for kids!”