Image Credit: TN General Assembly
Tennessee Conservative News Staff –
A bill that would authorize local school boards and governing bodies of charter schools to showcase foundational U.S. documents, as well as the Ten Commandments passed with amendment in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 0303 (SB0303), sponsored by State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-D17), “as introduced, authorizes local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, a resolution honoring the history of a school in the LEA or the public charter school, or other historically significant documents in a prominent location in each school building.”
Senator Pody introduced the legislation as well as an amendment that rewrites the bill. (Note: amendment not available on General Assembly website at time of this article’s publication)
Senator Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis-D29) raised a concern with the connection of the Ten Commandments to other historical documents. Pody responded that the Ten Commandments were “very much connected in the foundation of our country.”
After a brief back and forth discussion, the vote was taken. The bill passed with 8 ayes and 1 nay from Akbari.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Calendar Committee to be scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor.
You can find your Tennessee State Senator’s contact information HERE.
The companion House Bill 0047 (HB0047), sponsored by Representative Michael Hale (R-Smithville-District 40), already passed on the House floor last month.
