ESA Archives - Tennessee Star

Three Arizona House Republicans Vote Against School Choice Expansion

June 26, 2021June 25, 2021 Corinne Murdock

PHOENIX, Arizona – Three Arizona House Republicans voted against an amendment to significantly expand school choice during Friday’s budget discussion. State Representatives Joel John (R-Buckeye), Michelle Udall (R-Mesa), and Joanne Osborne (R-Goodyear) all voted against the school choice legislation sponsored by State Representative Regina Cobb (R-Kingman) as amended by State Representative Shawnna Bolick (R-Phoenix).

HB 2898 as amended under Bolick would have added 14 provisions addressing Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Program. In part, Bolick’s amendment would have opened up children of veterans and children in free or reduced-price lunch programs to ESAs, decreased the amount of time students must attend government schools full-time to be eligible for ESAs, allowed ESAs money to be used for educational therapies not covered by insurance and public transportation services, entitled children to equitable shares of funding otherwise allocated to school districts or charter schools for that child, and mandated the state to include ESA children in the statewide weighted student count for calculation of per pupil amount from the Classroom Site Fund (CSF).

The Heartland Institute’s Expert on Education Timothy Benson Outlines Trends in School Choice and the ESA Program

February 18, 2021February 17, 2021 Julie Carr

Wednesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed education expert Timothy Benson of the Heartland Institute to the newsmakers line to discuss school choice legislation trends and the true intention of teacher unions.

Tennessee Supreme Court Agrees to Hear State’s School Voucher Appeal

February 6, 2021February 5, 2021 Corinne Murdock

The Tennessee Supreme Court has agreed to the state’s appeal on the constitutionality of its education savings account program (ESA). The pilot school voucher program has been tied up in a legal battle for all of 2020 after its passage by the General Assembly in 2019, thereby preventing any planned advancement of the program.

The program was previously ruled unconstitutional by Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Anne Martin. She assessed it would disproportionately impact two counties: Shelby County Schools (SCS) and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). Those districts reportedly contain about 90 percent of the state’s failing schools list. The Court of Appeals upheld Martin’s decision last September.

Georgia House Introduces Bill Investing Educational Funds into Students Instead of Institutions

January 14, 2021January 13, 2021 Corinne Murdock

The Georgia House Education Committee introduced legislation to fund education savings accounts for qualifying parents. House Bill 60, or the “Georgia Educational Scholarship Act,” proposes granting certain state educational funds to parents directly rather than schools.

The bill would allow students with circumstances including poverty, foster care, active duty military parent(s), disability, bullying, or mandated distance learning to apply certain state educational funds to attend the participating school of their choice.

Educational Choice, Minority Advocacy Groups Ask Tennessee Supreme Court to Implement ESA Program

December 5, 2020December 4, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

A trio of organizations filed an amicus brief in the Tennessee Supreme Court asking justices to accept an appeal of a lawsuit over the educational savings account (ESA).

The American Federation for Children joined Latinos for Tennessee and the Memphis Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the filing. The AFC is an affiliate of the the Alliance for School Choice.

The Beacon Center Vice President of Legal Affairs Braden Boucek Weighs in on School Voucher Ruling and Taking It to the Tennessee Supreme Court

October 3, 2020October 2, 2020 Julie Carr

Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed the Vice President of Legal Affairs at The Beacon Center Braden Boucek to the show to discuss the recent ruling regarding the school voucher program in Tennessee.

Crom Carmichael Weighs in on Tennessee Court of Appeals School Voucher Ruling and Questions Judges’ Motives

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020 Julie Carr

Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio to discuss the recent ruling deeming the ESA and school voucher programs for Davidson and Shelby Counties unconstitutional.

AFC’s Shaka Mitchell Talks to The Tennessee Star Report About the Status of the ESA Lawsuit

May 30, 2020May 29, 2020 Julie Carr

Live from Music Row Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee Director the American Federation for Children Shaka Mitchell to the show.

During the third hour, Mitchell gave updates regarding the education savings account (ESA) lawsuit that was challenged unconstitutional mainly by Mayor John Cooper. He stressed how important it was to get the Tennessee Supreme Court ruling on ESA as parents who had applied and already been approved are losing time to make plans for their children in the fall.

Commentary: Minority Communities Stand to Lose the Most Because of Judge’s ESA Decision

May 13, 2020May 12, 2020 Admin

Next time you hear progressives talk about how they are the ones who are sticking up for minority communities, ask them to square their opposition to educational freedom – or the ability for families to customize their child’s education.

Progressives cheered this week as Nashville Chancellor Anne C. Martin ruled that the state’s education savings account program is “unconstitutional” because of an obscure section in our constitution where it talks about “home rule.”

Beacon Center Disagrees With Court Ruling That Decreed Education Savings Accounts are Unconstitutional

May 6, 2020May 5, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

A judge ruled that the Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program is unconstitutional, and a nonpartisan think tank says that could harm children.

Sources Show Demand for Education Savings Account Program, But There’s No Way for Families to Apply

March 14, 2020March 13, 2020 Laura Baigert

Two separate sources show there is pent up demand for the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program, but there is not yet a way for interested parents to apply with the Tennessee Department of Education for the upcoming school year.

Mayor Cooper and the Democratic Party Resist School Voucher Program That Would Be Good for Minority Children

February 7, 2020February 7, 2020 Julie Carr

Live from Nashville, Tennessee Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.– Leahy was joined in studio by former Vanderbilt and Princeton professor Dr. Carol Swain.

Senator Kerry Roberts Explains the Educational Focus Benefiting Teachers and Students During Tennessee’s State of the State

February 6, 2020February 5, 2020 Julie Carr

On Wednesday’s Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Host Michael Patrick Leahy spoke to Tennessee state Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) about the State of the State.

Former Rep Don Young on Left-Wing Special Interests’ Weaponization of the Endangered Species Act: ‘It Was Never for Grass … and Flies’

August 27, 2019August 27, 2019 Admin

Representative Don Young (R-Alaska), the last remaining member of Congress who voted for the ESA has said, “The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been weaponized and misused by environmental groups for too long.” The law passed overwhelmingly, but according to Young, “You have to understand when we had this act before us … we were told it was to save leopards and other species, it was never for grass … and flies, and snails, and turtles…”

Education Savings Accounts Bill Appears Headed to Conference Committee

April 30, 2019April 30, 2019 Laura Baigert

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Gov. Bill Lee’s Education Savings Account legislation appears headed to a conference committee, as the Tennessee House and State Senate both refused on Monday to move from their respective versions of the bill. The House passed HB 0939 last Tuesday by one vote after a dramatic 40-minute…

President Trump Shows Support for Tennessee Education Savings Accounts

April 25, 2019April 24, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

Tennessee’s efforts to provide school choice have captured President Donald Trump’s attention. The president on Wednesday tweeted, “The Great State of Tennessee is so close to passing School Choice. All of our Nation’s children, regardless of background, deserve a shot at achieving the American Dream! Time to get this…

Education Savings Account Bill Passes House After Rep. Jason Zachery Flips to ‘Yes’ to Break 49-49 Tie

April 23, 2019April 24, 2019 Admin

In a dramatic and historic turn of events the Tennessee House has passed the Education Savings Account plan advocated by Governor Bill Lee by a 50-48 margin. Earlier today the Senate Finance Committee passed the bill towards the Senate floor by a 6-5 margin. The initial vote in the…

Senator Dolores Gresham Champions Governor Lee’s Education Savings Accounts Bill Through Education Committee

April 11, 2019April 10, 2019 Laura Baigert

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Governor Bill Lee’s most significant education initiative, Education Savings Accounts, made it through another major hurdle as it passed the Senate Education Committee Wednesday by a vote of 6 to 3. Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville), who is also the Chair of the Education Committee, carried the bill…

Teachers Wearing Sunglasses to Ostensibly Protect Identities Join Small Protest Outside Tennessee Capitol Over Education Savings Account Plan

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

A group of about 50 people gathered outside the Tennessee Capitol Tuesday to protest Gov. Bill Lee’s Education Savings Account (ESA) plan. The 50 teachers, parents and other advocates voiced concerns about Lee’s support of education savings accounts, WBBJ said. Many of the teachers wore sunglasses “to show that they…

The Tennessee Star Report: Senior Reporter Laura Baigert on Why The Education Savings Account Bill Cleared a Big Hurdle in Committee This Week

March 29, 2019March 28, 2019 Julie Carr

On Thursday’s Tennessee Star Report with Steve Gill and Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – guest host and Nashville Tea Party Activist Ben Cunningham spoke with The Tennessee Star’s own senior reporter Laura Baigert, co-guest host…

Huge Victory For Governor Bill Lee as Education Savings Account Bill Passes 14 to 9 in House Education Committee

March 27, 2019March 27, 2019 Laura Baigert

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The much anticipated vote by the House Education Committee on Governor Bill Lee’s Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) proposal resulted in a huge victory on Wednesday with a 14 to 9 vote in favor of the bill. House Hearing Room I was once again standing room only, despite…

Shaka Mitchell, TN Director of The American Federation for Children, Talks with The Tennessee Star Report Shortly Before Testifying in Favor of ESA Bill

March 27, 2019March 27, 2019 Julie Carr

In a detailed discussion on Wednesday morning’s Tennessee Star Report with Steve Gill and Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – host Michael Patrick Leahy talked exclusively with Tennessee’s director for The American Federation for Children’s,…

Final Details of Gov. Bill Lee’s Education Savings Account Plan Released

March 15, 2019March 15, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

Tennessee students in urban cities could start escaping failing schools in fall 2021 as Gov. Bill Lee has pulled the curtain back on his education savings account (ESA) plan, with legislative action planned for Tuesday. Some say the math does not add up. Lee would spend up to $75 million…

Governor Bill Lee’s Education Savings Account Plan Will Offer School Choice to Less Than One Percent of Tennessee Students in 2020

March 10, 2019March 10, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

Gov. Bill Lee is moving forward on his campaign pledge of school choice in the form of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) available in 2020, although only about one-half of one percent of the state’s students would qualify to participate in the program’s first year. The governor delivered his first State…

Poll Shows School Choice Has 67 Percent Support Among Likely 2020 General Election Voters

January 19, 2019January 19, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

Latinos and Millennials are among the demographics who most strongly support school choice, the fifth annual National School Choice Poll says. The American Federation for Children, which advocates for educational choice, and Beck Research, a Democratic polling firm, announced the poll results Thursday. More information on the poll is available…

Report: The Endangered Species Act Doesn’t Work Because It Hammers Landowners With Draconian Regs

April 26, 2018 Admin

by Tim Pearce The Endangered Species Act (ESA) may protect nearly every listed species from extinction, but the law’s recovery rate for threatened and endangered populations is dismal, so far. The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) released a report Wednesday pointing out a severe shortfall of the ESA: only two percent…

Commentary: It’s Time to Update the Endangered Species Act, Because People Are More Important Than Bait Fish

December 3, 2017December 3, 2017 Admin

by Printus LeBlanc The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is the most weaponized law in America. Radical environmentalists use the law as a blunt object to push the zero-growth agenda on the rest of the country, even invading private property. The law prioritizes bait fish over children, kills thousands of jobs,…