Tennessee Republicans Introduce Education Freedom Act

Tennessee Republicans have introduced the Education Freedom Act of 2025, a school voucher program aimed at providing 20,000 scholarships worth $7,000 each to help students attend private schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Led by House Majority Leader William Lamberth and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, the legislation plans to expand by 5,000 scholarships each year if demand remains high. The bill promises that public school funding will not decrease despite potential drops in enrollment and includes a $2,000 bonus for every public-school teacher. Proponents argue the bill offers school choice and supports parental decision-making, while critics, including some Democrats, label it a 'scam' that diverts crucial funds from public schools. Governor Bill Lee supports the initiative, emphasizing that it empowers parents and invests in public education. The program will utilize $144 million already earmarked in the state budget, with additional funds sourced from sports wagering revenues for school infrastructure.