(The Center Square) – Federal school choice, as outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is supported by 7 in 10 Tennesseans, says a new poll released Monday.
The respondents also overwhelmingly (90%-5%) voiced approval of a limit on how much property taxes can increase each year, with a voter approval required for an increase above that limit.
The Beacon Center, in conjunction with Targoz Market Research, conducted the sampling Jan. 11-18 among 1,200 residents. The margin of error is +/- 2.77%.
Under the plan of second-term Republican President Donald Trump signed into law July 4, a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 can start in 2027. The scholarship money can be used by low-income families for private school tuition and other K-12 education expenses.
The poll says 72% favor it, 18% are against and among Democrats support is 15% of the group. Those saying they are independent were slightly more in favor (56%).
National School Choice week was last week from Sunday to Saturday.
The Tennessee Department of Education serves more than 1.1 million students, with roughly 44,000 attending the state’s 115 public charter schools. The state has 147 school districts, more than 1,840 public schools and approximately 60,000 to 64,000 educators.
Total funding of taxpayer dollars from the Legislature by formula is $6.8 billion in 2025-26; federal appropriation is between $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion.
Mark Cunningham, senior fellow for Public Opinion at Beacon, said 91% of Republicans and Democrats agree on a referendum being necessary if local governments raise property taxes above a set limit.
“Support for a property tax reform limiting the amount localities can raise property taxes is at an all-time high,” he said. “With cities across the state substantially raising property taxes last year, nearly all voters want some type of cap on how much cities and counties can raise their property taxes without voter approval.”
Approval ratings were 53%-38% for the state Legislature. A question on the Republican primary for governor wasn’t close, with U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (56%) outpacing John Rose (9%) and Monty Frtiz (7%).
On a question of job approval for Trump, 53% approved and 43% did not.
The Beacon Center bills itself as a “nonprofit, nonpartisan and independent organization dedicated to providing expert empirical research and timely free market solutions to public policy issues in Tennessee.”
