Tennesseans are celebrating some great news. In a rare and positive bi-partisan move, the Tennessee House and Senate approved an educational measure called the
Tennessee Promise, which enables all state high school graduates to attend two free years of community college or technical school. The Tennessee Promise will apply to college freshman and will begin in 2015.
Resident taxpayers are pleased to know much of the funding will come from the Tennessee Lottery. When Tennesseans allowed gambling into their state, they were promised the profits would benefit education. It's good to see the state make good on its promise.
According to AlterNet, a free education plan was introduced by former Democratic Governor, Phil Bredesen, but failed to pass. Now with midterm elections coming up, it is ironic that Republican Governor Bill Haslam proposed the same plan, and it passed in the House, 87-8. Sounds like one party has already begun sucking up to voters. Hopefully, Tennesseans will vote according to the 4-year track record of both parties.
This exciting educational measure is not only good for Tennesseans, but for the entire country. In a best case scenario, it will set a precedence for more and more state legislatures to adopt similar plans; and perhaps one day all college education in America will be free to those willing to study hard and earn it.
Having more educated U.S. citizens - well, that can only be good thing. Here's to the Volunteer State!
Special Thanks: Cliff Weathers