Leaders of multiple East Tennessee public school districts are sharing reactions to the decision of state lawmakers to approve Governor Bill Lee’s statewide expansion of school vouchers.

The bill passed with 54 yays and 44 nays with one minor amendment to the bill. It now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.

Tennessee lawmakers have approved legislation drastically expanding the number of families who can use taxpayer money on private schools regardless of income

Both the Senate and House of Representatives have passed Gov. Bill Lee’s statewide expansion of school vouchers, otherwise known as the “Tennessee Education Freedom Act of 2025.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's bill cleared the state House and Senate and is to be implemented for the 2025-26 school year, using public money to fund private school tuition for up to 20,000 students statewide.