NOTE: This post is still in progress and is being published early to share the ridiculous things that are said in the committee meeting video at the bottom.
The State Constitution of Tennessee has only been amended 27 times in 233 years. However, amending the State Constitution is exactly what Bill Dunn wants to do in his latest attempt to remove YOUR PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS from public schools.
Comparison between Dunn’s amendment and current Article XI, Section 12 of the Constitution of Tennessee:
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 493 – By Dunn
A RESOLUTION to propose an amendment to Article XI, Section 12 of the Constitution of Tennessee, relative to education.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that a majority of all the members of each house concurring, as shown by the yeas and nays entered on their journals, that it is proposed that Article XI, Section 12, of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the section and substituting instead the following:
The State of Tennessee recognizes the inherent value of education and encourages its support. The General Assembly as the elected representatives of the people shall provide for the maintenance, support and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools in such manner as the General Assembly may determine.
The General Assembly may establish and support such postsecondary educational institutions, including public institutions of higher learning, as it determines.
….
Section 12.
The state of Tennessee recognizes the inherent value of education and encourages its support. The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance, support and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools.
The General Assembly may establish and support such post-secondary educational institutions, including public institutions of higher learning, as it determines.
Notice who is being removed from the State Constitution: The People!
The missing phrase, “as the elected representatives of the people,” is a significant piece to remove.
The purpose, as stated in their agenda is :Constitutional Amendments – Proposes an amendment to Article XI, Section 12 of the Constitution of Tennessee to affirm the general assembly’s sole discretion in the establishment of a system of public schools. ”
In other words, if they fail to fund our public schools, and the court finds that they have failed to fund our public schools, it doesn’t matter – because it gives them “SOLE DISCRETION” and the ability to do whatever they want, however they want, and with no recourse for the people.
Replays of hearings on this bill are available below:
House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee (Dunn begins at 59:00)
Senator Roy Herron explains how this amendment removes a child’s right to an adequate public education and compares it to removing one leg from a stool, which will surely cause the stool to fall.
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