Campaign Update

Written By TN Immigrant

Thank you for your continued action and commitment to fighting for education for all students, regardless of who they are, how much money their family has, or how they came to call Tennessee home.

This legislative session, it's become crystal clear that extreme politicians will stop at nothing to take away our freedom to learn by dismantling public education–from passing an overwhelmingly unpopular voucher scheme during special session to trying to take over Memphis schools to attacking immigrant children's right to an education.

But by coming together to take action, we can fight back against these attempts to limit our freedoms and our futures. Keep reading for legislative updates, wins to celebrate, and more ways to show up for our kids freedom to learn. 

Local Organizing Update

Earlier this month, Franklin County School Board stood up for all students and passed a resolution against HB793! 

Interested in learning how to organize your local school board to stand with all Tennessee students? Join Education for All Tennessee partner Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment’s Public School Strong movement. Contact liv@socm.org or sign up for SOCM’s next training on 3/26 here.

Legislative Update

On Tuesday, parents, children, and veterans from across the state shut down  committee meetings by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on repeat to call out that denying kids an education is a betrayal of Tennessean values. On Wednesday, due to our collective voice and mounting public pressure, the TN Senate Education Committee rejected SB1044 in a 3-5 vote. 

Now we have to keep up the pressure. Join Education for All TN by showing up in committees this week!

Here's where these bills are heading next and key lawmakers to contact.

  • SB836 will next be heard in the Senate, Finance, Ways & Means Committee, which takes place on Tuesday, March 25 at 8:30AM CT. 

    • You can view all of the committee members here.

    • Considering that Sen. Watson is the sponsor and Chair of this committee, the bill is expected to pass, so it is important to mobilize key votes ahead of the full Senate floor vote, which could happen Monday, March 31. Here are KEY TARGETS to contact before that vote. Let them know that you support education for every child and urge them to reject any legislation that takes away our freedom to learn, including SB836. Know someone who lives in these districts? Urge them to make the call!

      • Sen. Becky Massey (615-741-1648) - Knox County

      • Sen. Ed Jackson (615-741-1810) - Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Henderson, Lake, Madison and Perry Counties

      • Sen. Bailey (615-741-3978) - Cumberland, Jackson, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren and White Counties

      • Sen. Jessie Seal (615-741-2061) - Tazewell city, Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Jefferson, Sevier, and Union Counties

      • Sen. Tom Hatcher (615-741-0981) - Blount, Monroe, Polk and part of Bradley Counties

      • Sen. Steve Southerland ( 61574183) - Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Sevier and Unicoi Counties

  • The House version of the bill, HB793, is being heard in a special meeting of the House Education Committee meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, March 26 at 4:30 PM CT.

    • You can view all of the committee members here.

TN Immigrant
Next

Campaign Update