Trump's Proposed Budget Cuts $131 Million from Tennessee Schools
Will Volunteer State lawmakers fight for fair funding?
Thanks to leaders like North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, the Trump-initiated education funding freeze that would have cut federal allocations to Tennessee schools by $118 million in the 2025-26 school year ended.
But, as is typical with the current Administration, there’s always more bad news.
This time, it comes in the form of the President’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget - funds that would flow to states and districts in 2026-27.
Analysis by the Education Law Center indicates Tennessee schools would lose $131 million under Trump’s plan.
That’s the equivalent of nearly 3000 teachers.
In an email, ELC announced a new advocacy tool that allows people to see funding cuts by state and district.
The Trump Administration is proposing a total of $12 billion in cuts to public education in FY26, spanning preschool to higher education and including research and data collection. The proposal eliminates funding for many school district operated programs that support the nation’s most vulnerable students, including services for students learning English and migrant students, full-service community schools that provide social supports and health care for families, and programs to improve college access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In total, the eliminated K-12 programs would result in $3.8 billion less in federal funding.
Here’s the thing: The Senate and House don’t have to accept Trump’s budget. They can make adjustments - if they want.
The question is will Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. John Rose, both of whom want to become Tennessee’s governor, actually stand up and fight for the state they hope to lead?
The answer is likely no.
During the $118 million funding freeze, Blackburn, Rose, and Gov. Bill Lee sat silently by while the state’s school districts contemplated laying off staff and cutting programs.
Blackburn, in announcing her gubernatorial bid, suggested she is running to ensure there’s a strong “Trump conservative” in the Tennessee governor’s mansion.
Now, districts across the state stand to lose millions, teachers and other school staff will lose their jobs, and programs will not be available to students.
Perhaps the Volunteer State will once again be bailed out by bolder leaders in neighboring states who are willing to take on Trump - willing to both fight and win for their state’s students.
We’ve already seen the results of Gov. Bill Lee’s capitulation to Trumpism:
To find out about cuts in your state or district, check out the ELC advocacy tool.