NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee unveiled his Education Freedom Scholarship Act during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

According to a release from the governor’s office, the legislation aims “to provide every Tennessee parent with the opportunity to choose the right education for their child, while prioritizing families with the greatest need.”

Parents want to have an option for their kids,” Lee told reporters Tuesday. “We’ve seen a groundswell across the country, nine states so far have implemented universal school choice.

The proposal would expand a voucher program to all 95 counties in Tennessee, allowing tax money to cover the tuition of a student going to a private school, incensing Democrats.

“We had the money to invest in more programs, more tutoring opportunities, more after school programs, more rehabilitation programs, more conflict resolution programs for children,” Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman London Lamar (D-Memphis) said. “But we’re giving that taxpayer money to private institutions that have no accountability to that money.”

Lee said he is in support of the scholarships because they give parents the freedom to choose the best learning environment for their child, regardless of income or zip code – potentially changing the course of their lives.

2024-25 school year: A total of 20,000 scholarships will be awarded on a rolling first-come, first-served basis.

• 10,000 scholarships available for Tennessee students who are at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, have a disability, or are eligible for the existing ESA pilot program.
• 10,000 additional scholarships available to a universal pool of students entitled to attend a public school.

2025-26 school year and beyond: Universal eligibility for all students entitled to attend a public school. If applications exceed available scholarships due to funding, lower income, public-school and returning scholarship students will receive priority.

The vouchers were approved for Davidson and Shelby counties in 2019. A legal battle followed for three years – but the program was eventually upheld. The legislature expanded the vouchers to Hamilton County this year.

The move is likely to draw serious debate in the General Assembly.

You may remember back in 2019 when then-Speaker of the House Glen Casada (R-Franklin) held open a deadlocked vote for nearly 45 minutes, trying to whip one final vote to carry the legislation.

It was ultimately a successful move after Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) changed his vote to yes after Knox County was removed from the pilot program, and it only included Davidson and Shelby Counties.

“The voucher bill was purchased on the balcony of the Tennessee House,” Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville) said.

A bill to expand it to Hamilton County passed earlier this year.

This year, it will likely have Zachary’s support, as he sent a text to state Capitol reporter Chris O’Brien saying although he hadn’t seen Lee’s specific legislation and wouldn’t comment on it, he is a supporter of school choice.