Martin defends it
State Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson, had it exactly right when he told the chair of the new Hamilton County Republican Party at a Republican women’s club meeting Thursday that, yes, Tennessee Education Freedom scholarships might be given to pay for education at a few Islamic schools.
Earlier this year, the Tennessee legislature voted to authorize a limited number of scholarships to public school students who want to attend a private school. It did not say the private schools had to be faith-related or non faith-related, and it did not exclude students of any particular heritage, culture or faith.
Martin voted for the bill and told new county Republican Party chair Gail Greene the bill didn’t discriminate “because in America, we believe in freedom of religion.”
Greene had expressed disdain that “my tax dollars are going to fund Islamic education in my state” and said that “really troubles me.”