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Watson talks 2026 priorities, including expanding tuition grants

Staff File Photo by Seth Carpenter / Tennessee state Sen. Bo Watson, R-North Chattanooga, speaks during an event in the Scenic City. Watson said his legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly include expanding the state's private school tuition grant program, if Tennessee's budget has the necessary funds. Staff File Photo by Seth Carpenter / Tennessee state Sen. Bo Watson, R-North Chattanooga, speaks during an event in the Scenic City. Watson said his legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly include expanding the state's private school tuition grant program, if Tennessee's budget has the necessary funds.

By Ruby Rayner December 23, 2025 4 min read

As Sen. Bo Watson, R-North Chattanooga, prepares to head back to the state Capitol in January, he said he supports expanding state-funded private school subsidies and will push to pass legislation that bars medical providers from denying care based on vaccination status.

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SCHOOL SUBSIDIES

Watson, in an interview with the Chattanooga Times Free Press, doubled down on his support for expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship program if the state budget allows.

However, Watson, chair of the committee that oversees the state budget, said 2026 will be tight.