Sen. London Lamar: TNGOP push to reject federal student funding ‘reckless, irresponsible’

MEMPHIS — Senate Democratic Caucus chairwoman Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, issued a statement marking the final scheduled meeting of the Republican panel charged with drawing up a recommendation to reject billions worth of federal funding for K-12 students.

Sen. Lamar says the rejection of more than a billion education dollars annually will only compound problems that youth in Tennessee are already experiencing.

“The Republicans who are pushing Tennessee to reject billions worth federal student funding are doing far more harm than good. It’s reckless and irresponsible to even consider such a proposal when Tennessee students are already among the most underfunded in the nation.

“Our students need more support in the classroom, not less. Our students need more access to tutoring, counselors and mental health specialists, not less. Our students need regular meals and wrap-around support to be the best learners they can be.

“There’s no future success story for students, families or our economy if Tennessee continues down this dangerous, anti-student path.”