New concern raised about Education Freedom Scholarships

(The Center Square) – Tennessee Republican Rep. Jody Barrett didn’t vote with his party when the Education Freedom Scholarship passed, and now that the bill is officially law, he said he has more concerns.

The 20,000 scholarships, which Barrett and Democrats call “vouchers,” give families $7,295 to attend the private school of their choice. The bill passed during a special session called by Republican Gov. Bill Lee in January that Barrett said cost $1 billion. Seven Senate Republicans and 20 Republican House members, including Barrett, voted against it.