BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — State Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville) will be holding listening sessions about Governor Bill Lee's proposed universal school voucher program in East Tennessee over the next few days.
The first two meetings will be held on Friday and Saturday. Richey will speak to attendees at the event at the Blount County Public Library from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday he'll speak to attendees at the Madisonville Public Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Richey told WBIR he wants to hear from constituents about their reactions to Gov. Lee's plan. The proposed program would eventually allow families across the state to get vouchers from the state to pay for non-public education. Opponents said it was a way to use public money for non-public education and to supplement the cost of private education.
"With something that's making such big headlines, and it's so controversial, there's a lot of folks that are for it and against it, and all that stuff," Richey said. "And we still haven't even seen the bill.
Richey said no matter how people feel about the measure he wants to, "come out and Nashville, to the district, (and) give folks the opportunity to be able to come out share what their concerns are."
Richey said he's invited other state legislators along on his tour and he invites anyone with questions to attend.
"I've spoke to Republican counterparts and I've spoken with some of the Democrat legislators as well, and share with them the dates we are going to be doing this," he said. "That way they can show up and that way everybody can hear what the public's opinion on this particular concept that Governor Lee spoke about the other day during the State of the State."