Ramsey Says School Vouchers Won’t Happen this Year

Governor Haslam’s original proposal for a school vouchers program would have capped the number of vouchers at 5,000 for the first year. Photo credit Education News

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says the push for a private school voucher plan should be discontinued for the year, now that most committees have closed up shop.

Attempts from Republicans to expand Governor Bill Haslam’s limited voucher bill caused him to spike the proposal. Germantown Senator Brian Kelsey is hopeful he could still find a way to pass a voucher program this year, although Ramsey says no way.

“This is something that needs to go through the committee, this is something that needs to be heard in committee. That’s the reason we have a committee system. And so, this is too big an issue to hijack a bill on the senate floor,” said Ramsey.

The chair of the Senate education committee – who is a big supporter of vouchers – could call a special meeting.

Ramsey supports the idea of private school vouchers. He just says the legislature should hold off until next year.

Chelsea Mihelich