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Tennessee lawmakers to give school voucher bill another shot

The Tennessee Capitol is shown in Nashville. Gov. Bill Haslam's administration says 700 workers have accepted buyouts in what the administration says is an attempt to right-size state government. The Tennessee State Employees Association says it fears the move will lead to reduced services for state residents.
The Tennessee Capitol is shown in Nashville. Gov. Bill Haslam's administration says 700 workers have accepted buyouts in what the administration says is an attempt to right-size state government. The Tennessee State Employees Association says it fears the move will lead to reduced services for state residents.

By Associated Press 3 min read

photo Rep. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, speaks on the floor of the House during the opening session Jan. 13, 2009, in Nashville.

NASHVILLE – The co-sponsor of a Senate proposal to create a school voucher program in Tennessee said Monday that lawmakers will try again to pass the measure in the next legislative session – despite failures in the last three.

The proposal, or “opportunity scholarship,” would let parents move a child from a failing public school in Tennessee to a private school with funding from the state.

Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown told reporters on Monday following a Senate Education Committee hearing on vouchers that he’s optimistic the Legislature starting in January could be the one to finally pass aschool voucher proposal.

He said one reason is that the chairman of the House Education Subcommittee where the companion bill got stuck in the last session is also a co-sponsor of the legislation he’s supporting.

“I’ve had positive conversations with members of the House,” Kelsey said. “I think the House simply needs a chance to vote on this.”