NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee House Democrats on Tuesday called on Republicans to back away from efforts to advance enrollment aid this Congress, responding to a secret audio recording obtained by News Channel 5.
They also called for longtime education activist Mark Gill to resign from the Tennessee Board of Regents, which oversees the state's community colleges and technical schools. This follows the revelation of a 2016 recording in which Mr Gill says he used heavy-handed political tactics to intimidate MPs into voting for vouchers.
“Mark Gill is the worst representative for the state of Tennessee. His demeanor, demeanor and political threat have no place in Tennessee,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemons (D-Nashville). said at a press conference after the News Channel 5 report.
Clemons added, “Mark Gill must be removed from the Tennessee Board of Regents appointed by Governor Bill Lee, or Bill Lee must resign. His ilk must… There is no position, official or unofficial, to align with this,” he added. A person who has received at least a kindergarten through high school education in the state of Tennessee. ”
Mr. Gill declined to comment through a spokesperson.
In the recording, Gill says he is targeting certain members of Congress who vote against him for defeat in a type of “public hanging.” At the time, Gill was serving on the board of the Tennessee Children's Federation, a pro-voucher organization.
Gill argues that using vast resources to defeat key incumbents sends a signal to other members of Congress.
“Going back to the session, people said, 'Just like you avoid the NRA, you need to stay away from them, because they can obviously exclude people who leave reservations, and they're doing much more than regulation. Because it’s a threat.’ The school board and the TEA.”
Rep. Beau Mitchell (D-Nashville) called on Gov. Bill Lee and Republican leaders to halt efforts to force a vote on a plan to send tax dollars to private schools.
“Sometimes we tell the kids, it’s time for time out,” Mitchell said.
Some voucher supporters have argued that Gill's comments in 2016 are irrelevant to the current debate, but Clemons disagreed.
“The kind of heavy-handed political threats and tactics described in the tapes are being used right now in this building to threaten the integrity of our children's public schools,” Clemons said. Emphatically, he added, “Now!”
You can watch Monday's story in the player below.
Secret recording shows school aid supporter talking about 'public hangings'
Special section: revealed
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