Tennessee lawmakers push to expand school voucher program as demand surges past 50,000

From News Channel 9: Some state lawmakers want to expand Tennessee's school voucher program amid what they describe as a rise in demand.

The Tennessee Department of Education says they've received more than 50,000 applications so far after less than a week of availability.

For context, House Speaker Cameron Sexton says 40,000 students applied last year. The state awarded scholarships to half of them.

Speaker Sexton argues that the best path forward is to expand the program.

But Representatives like Yusuf Hakeem disagree.

"I think what you're doing in reality is taking away dollars from what's called public education."

Governor Bill Lee says that although applications have not closed yet, more than 50,000 families have applied for an Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) to help pay for private school.

The state says half of those applied for the income-based portion.

"It's not all necessarily a win for everybody. It could be, in the long run, detrimental to education in the state of Tennessee."

Tennessee Representative from Chattanooga Yusuf Hakeem says there could be unintended consequences from vouchers hurting public education.

"It can have a devastating effect on those young people who are not within that system."

House Speaker Cameron Sexton said earlier this month that he'd want to expand the EFS much more significantly for this round of applicants.

"Hopefully, if we have the money available, we can meet the demand."

But Todd Warner, a representative from middle Tennessee, says that as a conservative, he thinks voucher expansion is too much growth of government.

"Our constitution here in the state calls for a free public education. It does not say anything about the private education."

As for Hakeem, one bill he will be supporting?

"One of the bills that have been put forth sort of evaluates what is going on within those schools and the impact that it's having on young people and the dollars that are involved."

The Education Freedom Act is written so there will automatically be 5,000 vouchers added for 2026-2027 school year. Any additional growth will require legislation.