
A Tennessee lawmaker is introducing a bill that would begin the process of potentially turning down federal education funding.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton told the AP that he is mulling legislation that would reject around $1.8 billion in federal education funding.
“Basically, we’ll be able to educate the kids how Tennessee sees fit,” Sexton said, and added that the state going it alone would allow them to operate without “federal government interference.”
Federal funding provides states with support for low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities. However, it often comes with rules, requirements, and regulations that states find unfavorable particularly states on the opposite side of the aisle as the sitting President.
No state has ever totally rejected federal education funds. Additionally, it would not completely allow states to operate independently as they would still be obligated to follow federal law.