KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The leader of Tennessee's House of Representatives expects to see his colleagues pass some kind of legislation addressing so-called vouchers in education.
What that will be and what the state Senate's stance will end up being remains to be seen.
Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, appears 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WBIR's "Inside Tennessee" to assess the coming several months of the General Assembly. The program was taped in advance.
Democrats -- and at least some Republicans in the Senate -- have already made it clear they opposed expanding the state's voucher program that would allow parents access to public money to send a child to a non-public school, such as a private school.
Gov. Bill Lee announced late last year that it was a priority for him in 2024. Many details remain to be released.
Sexton told WBIR he was making it a priority himself as lawmakers get underway. They had this week off in Nashville because of bad weather.
From Sexton's perspective, critics don't want to allow typical parents -- not rich parents -- a chance to send their kid somewhere other than public school for an education.
"All we're saying is let's give them the opportunity," the East Tennessee native said. "If they want to, they don't have to. And if they feel like it's best, then it should be the parent's choice."
Among the challenges the Lee plan might face is doubt or suspicion from rural lawmakers. The speaker said there are "details" that still must be worked out.
A pilot program just barely passed a few years ago.
Under Lee's proposal, the first year of the expanded voucher choice program would focus on providing money, perhaps $7,000 per child, to some 20,000 lower income parents. In 2025, it would be opened to all parents, no matter their income level.
Currently, education savings accounts are open to people in only a few large counties in the state. Knox County is not one of them.
On Sunday's show, Sexton also addresses the likelihood of legislation to address gun ownership rights, abortion and options for the expectant mother as well as the chances of another defined moratorium on grocery taxes.
He also addresses his hopes for a more civil year in the House after a turbulent few months that included the expulsion of two Black lawmakers, members of the so-called Tennessee Three.
Civility should apply to both sides of the aisle, Sexton said.
