Ads touting TN school vouchers to top $800K - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Ads touting TN school vouchers to top $800K

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By ERIK SCHELZIG
Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A national group advocating for a wide-scale school voucher program in Tennessee is launching a massive media campaign to persuade lawmakers to expand the program proposed by Gov. Bill Haslam.

An official familiar with the plans tells The Associated Press that the state chapter of the American Federation for Children is spending $800,000 on broadcast television, cable and radio advertising - a vast amount for political advertising or issue advocacy in the state.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the group has not made the amount public.

The first ads call on supporters of so-called "opportunity scholarships" to call key Republican lawmakers perceived to be on the fence about the issue.

Haslam told reporters this week he plans to stick with his more limited approach to vouchers.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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