Small Business Group Criticizes Lamberth/Watson Anti-Kids Bill

Lawmakers have turned cruelty into legislative proposals

The Tennessee Small Business Alliance celebrated a House subcommittee move that may signal delay or even defeat of legislation sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth and Sen. Bo Watson. The Lamberth/Watson bill in question would allow public schools to exclude certain children from access to education because of the perceived sins of their parents.

What better time than Holy Week for a rebuke to powerful oppressors?

In a statement to the media, the Small Business Alliance said of the committee’s move to place HB793 “behind the budget” –

“This is an admission that Sen. Watson and Rep. Lamberth’s attack on children isn’t just morally indefensible—it’s fiscally reckless,” said the Tennessee Small Business Alliance. “So we want to know: will they finally drop their crusade against these children?”

Some Republican lawmakers are also speaking out against Watson and Lamberth’s cruelty:

“Keeping immigrant families away from education and economic opportunities ultimately costs the state more than just providing an equal education,” said Rep. Mark White of Memphis.

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A group of Tennessee pastors affiliated with the Southern Christian Coalition is speaking out against cruel anti-immigrant legislation sponsored by Senator Bo Watson and Rep. William Lamberth. The measure passed the Senate this week.

In a statement released to the media, the group explained their opposition to the measure that would allow public schools and charter schools to refused to educate the children of immigrants unless they can prove their legal status.

Rev. Monica Mowdy, United Methodist minister and former educator, said:

“As a Christian pastor and former teacher, I believe the words of Jesus when He tells us to care for the vulnerable and the children in our communities. I’m ashamed that Senator Bailey’s vote yesterday was in direct violation of our call as Christians. He refused to even hear the concerns of a constituent and pastor he’s represented for over 20 years.”

The group expressed hope that the vote will go differently in the House:

“It’s my hope and prayer that things go quite differently in the House,” said Rev. Mowdy. “We are called, above all, to love our neighbor and protect the vulnerable. This bill fails that test.”

low angle view of cross against sky at night
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Over at The Education Report I wrote about a new policy analysis exploring how vouchers impact local public schools.

The answer: It’s not good.

As if we needed even more evidence that vouchers are a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad policy idea – Public Funds for Public Schools is out with a new policy brief that includes case studies focused on the financial impact of school voucher schemes.

The bottom line: Voucher budgets suck limited funds out of education funding allocations and the result leaves public schools behind.

Gov. Bill Lee promoting school privatization

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Pastors continue to challenge lawmakers on bill that attacks children of immigrants

From NewsBreak:

Rev. Jean Norton of Madison, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, released a video statement explaining her opposition.

“My faith tells me that we are to support and welcome the least among us, and among the most vulnerable are children,”

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Photo by Mary Taylor on Pexels.com

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Chalkbeat reports that a pair of possible “solutions” are floating around – plans that would allow the General Assembly to intervene in Shelby County Schools:

One proposal in the House would take power away from the elected school board for at least four years, giving oversight of the school district to a state-appointed board of local residents. A proposal in the Senate would give the Shelby County Commission greater control over the school district — at a time when commissioners have already proposed creating an advisory board to consult with the school board.

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