Tennessee GOP has 'failed to address our public school crisis for a decade,' Democratic leader says
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Tennessee Democrats on Friday decried Republican-backed culture fights and said the state's supermajority has "failed to address our public school crisis for a decade," offering a preemptive rebuttal ahead of Gov. Bill Lee's State of the State address next week.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Vincent Dixie gave the virtual address on Friday ahead of Lee's Monday speech, where he will unveil his budget and details of his 2022 agenda.
"They have failed to address our public school funding crisis for a decade," Dixie said. "They have forced teachers to do more and more with less and less. And they’ve made it all worse with schemes that defund our public schools brick by brick. We cannot expect our students to grow up and win first-class jobs on a low-class education budget.
"Every Tennessee child — no matter their zip code — deserves the highest quality education that can possibly be provided. Instead of once again asking our teachers to do more. It’s time the governor do his job and give educators a raise that actually hits their bank account. Instead of fighting over which books can be in the library, let’s fight to provide every classroom with high-quality books and materials that students need to learn."
Dixie said public education advocates and Democratic leaders in the state have "proposed reforms to better fund our schools" for years, but noted Tennessee still ranks 45th in the country in the amount of money spent per student.
Lee this week said he is hopeful he can propose legislation this session to address the state's current school funding formula.
Discussions on a new funding formula have been ongoing for months following a 90-day review of the formula beginning in October.
The education department released a draft framework earlier this month showing a base structure for new funding under a new student-center formula. The framework lays out additional funding for students who live in poverty or rural areas, charter schools and students with disabilities.
Related: Tennessee releases draft framework of new school funding formula, seeks more input
Republican legislative leaders this week said they hope to begin addressing the issue this session, though they said it's premature to say if the potential legislation could be approved this spring.
Lee has said he supports a funding increase, but Democrats have expressed skepticism that it will be enough to align with what education advocates say the state schools need.
"If Gov. Lee and the supermajority want to catch up to Alabama, we would have to spend an additional $1.2 billion dollars each year," Dixie said. "If we want to break out of the bottom 10 and make a real investment in our economic future, we have to match what Kentucky does and put $2.5 billion more on the table."
Dixie also criticized the sweeping redistricting plans Republicans passed through both chambers this month. The supermajority dismantled Davidson County under a new congressional plan that political experts say will likely further entrench a Republican majority in the state's congressional delegation. Democrats have criticized the plan for diluting Black and minority communities in Davidson County.
More: US Rep. Jim Cooper will not seek reelection after GOP redraws Nashville congressional district
"The supermajority followed the orders of D.C. Republicans and drew themselves new political maps — that take power away from African-American voters — in an attempt enshrine their unchecked power for another decade," Dixie said. "This is who is they are. A political party with no compassion and no guiding principles — except seeking more power."
Reach Melissa Brown at mabrown@tennessean.com.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Democrat bashes GOP over 'public school crisis'
