A bill that would have allowed the use of school vouchers in Tennessee was "laid on the desk" in the state House on Thursday, delaying it until further notice.
A flurry of amendments had been proposed for the Tennessee Choice & Opportunity Scholarship Act.
Beacon Center, CEO Justin Owen, who favors the voucher bill, said, "It is one thing to be against this bill, but it is another to completely lie to the public about what is in the bill. The teachers union and other pro-union groups have intentionally deceived the public and legislature so that they can maintain their monopoly on the education system. We will continue to fight for underprivileged children and families because the Beacon Center doesn't believe they deserve a second-rate education because of where they live."
Tony Niknejad, state director for the Tennessee Federation for Children, said, “We remain confident that the Tennessee House of Representatives will put children first by passing the Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Act. Our state can no longer delay opportunities for families and students stuck in failing schools. For far too long the unions and the education establishment have denied low-income parents any say in their child's education. It's time to put their special interests aside and give all families the opportunity for their children to succeed.”