FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of Governor Bill ‘Takin’ Care of the Rich’ Lee
NASHVILLE — Governor Bill Lee today hailed Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Program (school vouchers) as “the biggest win for wealthy families since the tax breaks to purchase luxury yachts in the Big Beautiful Bill.”
The Tennessee Department of Education reported over 42,000 applications, with all 20,000 available scholarships reserved in record time. Scholarships were awarded to students in 86 of 95 counties, with kids enrolling at 220 of 241 eligible private schools across the state. The program provides $7,295 per student to help cover tuition, or, as critics note, “about enough to pay the property taxes on that lake house.”
According to newly released data, 10,000 scholarships went to households with qualified income, while the other 10,000 “universal scholarships” went to families regardless of income. Early studies show the results are undeniable: 89% of voucher recipients have already purchased a second vacation home.