Tennessee Republicans are ramping up calls to reject millions of federal dollars rather than adhere to requirements regarding LGBTQ and abortion rights, Fox 17 reported.
“I think this trend in declining federal funds really is alarming,” said state Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D). “A big portion of our government and our budget ... rely on federal funds. They are there to level the playing field with other states."
While Tennessee is among 10 states with a history of denying Medicaid expansion to thousands of low-income residents, American University professor Thomas Kahn said it's alarming that the GOP is willing to reject $1.8 billion in federal education funds over LGBTQ+ rights and abortion access mandates.
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“Typically, there’s a fight for federal funding and states are more than eager to accept money,” Kahn said. “Now, you’re seeing a much more conservative trend in this country where there’s more hostility toward the federal funding on anything it proposes. It’s a trend that’s getting worse.”
Supporters argue that the state doesn't need the cash.
"We should do everything that we can to be whole and autonomous and independent from the federal government," House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) told reporters last week.
“When you take federal government money, their philosophies and what they want you to do is different than probably what the state wants to do.”
As Fox 17 points out, Tennessee is a leader when it comes to pursuing anti-LGBTQ legislation such as its own "Don't Say Gay" bill and an attempted ban on drag shows.
“The consideration of some lawmakers to reject critical federal funding at a time when Tennessee needs more great leaps in funding as quickly as possible is irresponsible,” said Tanya Coats, president of the Tennessee Education Association. “You don’t have to look hard to see where Tennessee elected officials have set up their own system of threatening districts with a loss of state funding through a series of arbitrary and often harmful legislation.”
