The Act More Commonly Known As The “Voucher” Bill
Image Credit: Jefferson County Republican Party & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
“Catastrophically expensive, fiscally irresponsible, and bureaucrat empowering” were some of the terms used to describe the Education Freedom Scholarship Act at Jefferson County’s Republican Reorganization Meeting on Saturday January 25th.
As republicans came together on Saturday morning at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse, reports were given, motions were made, officers of the party were elected, and discussions of wasteful government spending ensued.
No sooner than newly elected officers took their oath, membership started a discussion with party officials as to how the anti-conservative Education Freedom Scholarship Act (“voucher” bill) could be stopped.
Some rank-and-file members in attendance, and others across the state, privately expressed concern to the Tennessee Conservative News that forces outside of Tennessee were suspected of influencing decisions in Nashville concerning the special session agenda and its focus on education bills.
The Republican Party of Jefferson County is not alone in its concerns about the proposed legislation.
The Jefferson County School Board has announced a Special Called Meeting for tonight to make a resolution asking the legislature to reject the Education Freedom Scholarship Act on the grounds that appropriations would be better spent improving existing public schools which are required to serve all demographics, as opposed to private schools that are at liberty to reject students with special needs.
By 6:00 PM on Sunday, the Jefferson County Republican Party Executive Committee had constructed and approved the urgent resolution pictured below.
During the weekend, several republicans across the state reflected on the cost of paying double payments for each student enrolled in a so-called “voucher” school. Additionally, it was noted that the cost of one-time teacher bonuses would exceed 128 million dollars.
With a Fiscal Review Note (page 9) demonstrating an increase in state expenditures from the General Fund of more than 347 MILLION DOLLARS for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, and more than 191 MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR in subsequent years, it was noted that costs would exceed one BILLION DOLLARS within a 4 year period.
Homeschoolers fear that state education regulators and special interests outside the state of Tennessee will successfully lobby the general assembly to include them in a scheme to regulate the freedom out of homeschooling altogether.
“If additional regulations come to pass in a future legislative session, it may affect the way we teach our children if we have to yield to government control. The very reason we homeschool is to avoid government controls.” – said Shonda Griffin, Jefferson County Homeschool Parent
A link to the revised text of the Education Freedom Scholarship Act for the special legislative session is provided HERE. A link to the bill page is provided HERE.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
