NASHVILLE, TN – Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney released the following statement after a number of State House Democrats voted against legislation to help improve education in the state:

“Tonight, a number of Democrats turned their back on Tennessee’s children, teachers, and administrators when they voted against legislation aimed at putting our education system back on track,” said Devaney. “The reforms passed by the General Assembly are major steps in the right direction as we work to improve our schools that consistently rank amongst the lowest in the country. By not supporting these reforms, these Democrats demonstrated they are content with the status quo despite the fact that students across the state are forced to rely on an education system that is failing them.”

State House Democrats who voted against the legislation are as follows:

Rep. Eddie Bass (D-65)
Rep. Stratton Bone (D-46)
Rep. Ken Coleman (D-49)
Rep. Henry Fincher (D-42)
Rep. Mike Kernell (D-93)
Rep. Michael Ray McDonald (D-44)
Rep. Jeanne Richardson (D-89)
Rep. Les Winningham (D-38)