NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Democrats are once again calling for the resignation of Tennessee Department of Education (DoE) Secretary Lizette Reynolds.
Rep. Caleb Hemmer (D-Nashville) said Monday that even though she was sworn in as commissioner last July, Reynolds' primary residence was in her native Texas, not Tennessee. It revealed that.
“The second-highest paid member of the governor's cabinet, who is paid by Tennessee taxpayers, is not a taxpayer,” Hemmer said.
The move comes as Republicans roll out Educational Freedom Voucher scholarships that give public tax dollars to private school families.
“They're not complacent, so we're going to do everything we can to move this issue forward,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville). She added, “The problem is she probably can't afford anything here in Nashville, maybe rent. I'm sure she'll be able to cope at some point.”
Now, it's not technically illegal for Reynolds to live in a different state than where he works. The only clear requirement is that “the commissioner must be qualified to teach in the highest-ranking school over which the commissioner has authority.''
Democrats say she's unfit that In either capacity, this complaint is more ethical than legal.
“She's coming in like a tornado in Texas and taking away and basically shattering all the public schools and policies for the future of our kids here,” Hemmer said.
Texas does not have a state property tax, but Tennessee does. Democrats argued that Reynolds was essentially avoiding property taxes by continuing to reside in the Lone Star State.
“It's common for primary residence to be an issue because you pay property taxes. We primarily fund education from property taxes,” said John, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.・Said Ray Clemons (D-Nashville). “This is very important because as a resident of this state, she has not even invested in public schools.”
Hemmer and Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) introduced a bill this year that would require Tennessee commissioners to reside in Tennessee for at least 30 days, while also creating a process for impeaching commissioners.
“Requiring commissioners to actually reside in Tennessee has never been required before,” Yarbro said. “That actually happened.”
Lawmakers are scheduled to discuss the matter in committee Tuesday.
