Campaign Update
Since this campaign launched, we have already built a broad and powerful movement with more than 50 organizations across the state lifting up the campaign and more than 1,700 people taking action to defend the right of EVERY child to learn, grow, and thrive.
Legislative Update
Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee heard SB836, the bill seeking to require all local schools to require proof of citizenship or immigration status of all students in an effort to deny undocumented students fair access to public education in Tennessee. Hundreds of supporters showed up to make sure our lawmakers knew we opposed the bill, but in the end the bill passed in a 5 to 4 vote. This was not the outcome that we wanted. However, our collective advocacy showed - the committee members heard us and we want to be clear: this is important progress and we were short of our win by only one vote. For context: 24 hours before the vote, we only had 1 no vote, and we ended with 4.
And now our fight continues. The House version of the bill will next be heard on Tuesday, March 11 at 9 AM in the House K-12 subcommittee, and it's our best shot at stopping it in its tracks. We need to make sure that our legislators know just how many people oppose this harmful attack on Tennessee's children. Here are the key votes that we need to defeat the legislation:
Chair Haston(R): District 72 - Chester, Decatur, Perry and Parts of Hardin and Henderson Counties - KEY VOTE
Rep. Bulso(R): District 61- Williamson County
Rep. Hakeem(D): District 28 - Hamilton County - KEY VOTE
Rep. Maberry(R): District 68 - Montgomery County
Rep. McKenzie(D): District 15 - Knox County - KEY VOTE
Rep. Reeves(R): District 65 - Williamson County
Rep. Slater(R): District 35 - Trousdale and Parts of Sumner Counties - KEY VOTE
Rep. White(R): District 83 - Shelby County - KEY VOTE
Here's how you can take action:
Live in a key vote district? Mobilize your friends, family, and neighbors to contact your lawmaker!
Join an Education for All Tennessee phone bank on Monday, March 10 to call voters in key districts and encourage them to call their legislator!
Make plans to show up and pack the halls of the legislature on Tuesday, March 11 at 9 AM. The committee meets in House Hearing Room III of Cordell Hull State Office Building.
Advocacy Update
665 phone calls to lawmakers
2144 emails to lawmakers
Your action is making a difference, and our legislators are feeling the pressure. Keep it up by taking action if you haven't already, and sign up to join our Monday Moment of Action to call voters in key districts and encourage them to contact their legislator!
The sponsors of these bills have laid out their small vision for our state, but we know our community’s vision is bigger, bolder, and more beautiful than they can ever imagine. A state where everyone has the freedom to thrive, the freedom to love, and the freedom to learn in our communities no matter the color of our skin, what's in our wallet, or how we came to call Tennessee home.
Thankful to have you in the fight!