NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The House sponsor of a proposal to create a school voucher program in Tennessee says he doesn't have the votes to pass the measure aimed at covering private school tuition for children attending some the state's worst public schools.
Republican state Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville called off a scheduled floor vote on Thursday morning before taking up a series of proposed amendments.
Dunn had offered to limit the measure to apply to just the state's four largest counties, and had even been willing to have it apply only to just Shelby County.
Opponents had raised concerns of siphoning funding from public school systems to pay for the vouchers worth about $7,000 per student.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved its version of the bill last year.
Tenn. (AP) — A proposal to create a school voucher program to help cover private school tuition for children attending some Tennessee's worst public schools is scheduled for a floor vote in the state House on Thursday.
A previous vote was delayed as supporters worried that a flood of proposed amendments could sew too much doubt in what is expected to be a close vote.
Sponsor Bill Dunn, a Republican representative from Knoxville, earlier this week said he planned to make a change to the proposal that would limit its effect to the state's four biggest counties: Shelby, Davidson, Knox and Hamilton.
Another proposed change would allow the vouchers only in Shelby county.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved its version of the bill last year, and would have to agree to any House changes.