04/16/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2024 15:53
INVESTIGATION: Just like GOP Candidates around the Country, RGA Chair Gov. Bill Lee Supports Ripping Away Funding From Public Schools
Republican State Senator who says RGA is pushing anti-public school agenda: "We're going to wind up taking money from public schools…"
An investigation by Nashville's NewsChannel 5 reveals that RGA Chair Gov. Bill Lee's legislative priority - an expensive scheme whose author said would strip money from public schools and funnel it into unaccountable private and charter schools - is on the brink of collapsing as it loses support from his fellow Republicans.
Tennessee State Rep. Scott Cepicky, a Republican who is leading the House effort to pass the governor's priority legislation, was caught on a previously unreported recording stating that "We're going to wind up taking money from public schools because the kids are not going to be there," with the report adding that "the Republican lawmaker noted that it is an effort being pushed by the Republican Governors Association."
Cepicky warned about the failures of similar anti-public school plans across the country saying, "The myriad of pitfalls of school choice across this country is well documented," and argued that "If school choice is going to pass, it cannot be the governor's… version," or else it would end up costing taxpayers "a billion dollars in two years."
While Lee is in hot water from Republicans back home, it's clear many of the Republicans running for governor in states like North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Missouri among others, are following his lead by pushing for similarly harmful schemes to take money away from public schools.
"While Democratic governors are finding new ways to support students, parents, and teachers, enacting free school meals and funding public schools at historic levels, Republicans like Gov. Bill Lee and GOP candidates are supporting plans to undermine public schools," said DGA National Press Secretary Devon Cruz. "Students, parents, and teachers cannot afford the anti-public school agenda being pushed by the RGA and Republican candidates for governor across the country."
Here's Where GOP Candidates Stand on Defunding Public Schools:
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