Democratic Leader Karen Camper
Members of the House Democratic Caucus are condemning Gov. Bill Lee for signing into law his controversial school voucher bill.
Caucus Chair Mike Stewart said members are “outraged” that the governor signed the measure over the holiday weekend, while reports of a federal, criminal investigation regarding improper inducements are looming over it. The bill passed this year in the midst of allegations that Republicans had been improperly, and possibly illegally, induced in exchange for their support. The Democratic Caucus has long held a position opposing vouchers. The bill passed this year for the first time with the support of the governor after failing for almost a decade.
Democratic Leader Karen Camper said she’s concerned about the bill’s fiscal impact and that “this potentially unconstitutional bill, that unfairly targets Davidson and Shelby County students could ultimately cost Tennessee taxpayers millions of dollars.”
Republican lawmakers were able to exclude their home counties in exchange for their support of the legislation.
“This is a bad day for Tennessee’s schools and the families that rely on them,” said Chairman Stewart.
