NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Gov. Bill Lee plans to include funding to expand the controversial Education Freedom Scholarship Program, or school vouchers, in his next proposed budget.
The program passed this January in a special legislative session and rolled out this spring. Lee told reporters Friday the only aspect of the program he’s not happy with is that there aren’t more vouchers available for both income-limited families and those without an income limit.
He added the fact that almost 42,000 Tennessee families applied for the 20,000 available vouchers is proof there’s a huge demand.
Majority of school vouchers awarded to students in urban, wealthy areas of Tennessee, data shows
“I just hope that the recognition that so many Tennesseans wanted this — the applications were so many that [they] outnumbered the number available,” Lee said. “I’m hoping that we’ll be able to, through the General Assembly, provide more scholarships for Tennessee families.”…