TN House District 48 Republican Rep. Bryan Terry will face Democrat Matt Ferry

Election day is November 5

Terry and Ferry are seeking to win as they seek a two-year term to represent TN House District 48
Early voting will take place October 16-31
Candidates answer questions about their position on funding for public charter schools and vouchers for private schools
Candidates also answer questions about their qualifications for office and what other positions they prefer

Editors’ note: This is one in a series of articles about candidates running to represent Rutherford County in the Tennessee General Assembly seats.

Republican state representative Bryan will face Democrat Matt Ferry elections in the 48th district.

The candidates are aiming to win a two-year term on Election Day on November 5. Early voting will take place October 16-31.

Who is running for office? Rutherford ballots show 46 candidates, including 7 for president and 6 for Smyrna offices

Much of District 48 covers the area east of U.S. Highway 231 on the northern and southern edges of Rutherford County.

Terry and Ferry answered four questions from The Daily News Journal.

Voting options ahead of the November 5 election: Rutherford County is offering nine early voting locations Oct. 16-31 ahead of the Nov. 5 election

The three questions were answered in 100 words or less and asked about candidate qualifications, a position on proposed funding for vouchers to help families pay for private school for their children, and a position on the funding formula for public charter schools, which operate independently of elected school boards and district administrations.

The fourth question required the answer to be no more than 200 words and address other issues supported by the candidates.

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What are your qualifications for working in an office?

Terry: District 48 is an eclectic neighborhood with many unique needs. My diverse background and experience clearly position me to best serve our community.

In addition to being a husband and father, I grew up in a working-class family that repaired cars and owned a horse farm. I worked to become a doctor and small business owner. I serve as an associate professor in UT Graduate Medical Education and medical director.

As a state representative for 10 years, I was elected Legislator of the Year and Taxpayer Hero. We belong to the World Outreach Church.

Ferry: I grew up in Murfreesboro and graduated from Oakland High School and MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University) in 2010. I am a small business owner who has worked with dozens of nonprofit organizations in Middle Tennessee. I am the former chairman of the Rutherford County Democratic Party and a newly elected member of the executive committee of the Tennessee Democratic Party. I have worked with groups that have advocated for the expansion of Medicaid and other health care services, for gun violence prevention, and against the expansion of the Middle Point Landfill, the largest municipal landfill in the state.

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What is your position on the governor’s proposal to use state funds for school vouchers to help families pay for their children’s private education?

Terry: Every child has unique needs. Therefore, not every public school or system can meet these needs. Students should be given the best opportunity to develop and not be trapped in a situation that is failing them.

Governor Lee has not introduced a bill or proposal; therefore, my position will depend on the content of his proposal. Last year, the House proposal would have provided schools in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City with about $11 million and $2 million a year, respectively, while reducing the need for new schools. Financially, such a bill would be beneficial to our community.

Ferry: I am opposed to any plan that would take funds away from public schools and give them to private schools that have no accountability. Private schools are expensive and they can choose who can enroll in them. The governor’s plan would only benefit the very wealthy and harm everyone else. Public schools deserve full funding and every child deserves the chance to receive a quality education.

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What is your position on charter schools in response to Rutherford County Schools officials’ claims that the funding formula and requirements are negatively impacting the district?

Terry: The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) program’s first school year (23-24) formula increased Rutherford County Schools (RCS) revenues by $66 million compared to the old elementary education program formula. Although RCS had the third largest growth in student numbers, RCS received the most development funding of all local education associations (LEAs). RCS does not have to fund a charter school upfront, and charter schools have saved the county approximately $240 million in construction costs. The growth portion of TISA could be improved, but the funding formula has had a positive impact on the district.

Note: State TISA added a total of $66 million a year from the old funding formula to Rutherford and Murfreesboro County school districts.

Ferry: I agree with their assessment. Rutherford County is growing so fast that it’s difficult to build schools fast enough. Public funding of unaccountable charter schools will take away funds needed to build more public schools. The state legislature has already underfunded our schools, and this voucher plan will result in millions of dollars in further losses. Over 90% of children attend public schools. We need to invest more in their schools, not less.

“The financing mechanism should be fair” The three charter schools could cost Rutherford as much as $15 million

What other issues do you support as a candidate for the Tennessee General Assembly?

Terry: Tennessee’s budget is strained by the failed policies of the Biden-Harris administration, which have resulted in skyrocketing inflation, record illegal immigration and massive debt. We are in better shape than most states, but we cannot outrun all the problems created by the federal government. That’s why I advocate moving away from the Biden-Harris failures at the federal level.

I am working to find ways to help Rutherford County diversify its revenue portfolio without raising taxes, and also to see if we can increase the development portion of TISA. Without changing the failed Biden-Harris policies, it may be difficult to find funds in the state budget to achieve these goals.

We are facing a nationwide physician shortage, and I am working to help Tennessee make it easier to recruit and retain physicians. Additionally, Tennessee has an opportunity to better address the mental health crisis in our schools. I am considering the feasibility of such a program under our Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Finally, the closure of the Middle Point landfill is scheduled for 2028. While this is a local problem created in 1995 by our (Rutherford) County Commission, I will continue to be a watchdog and advocate for alternative solutions.

Ferry: After the Dobbs decision, the Tennessee General Assembly passed an extreme abortion ban, with no exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. Extreme abortion bans harm pregnant women. Criminalizing a doctor’s ability to provide care will drive more health care workers out of the state.

No one really wants an abortion, but sometimes it is necessary for the mother’s life, or it is the decision of a desperate person who knows that she is unable to take care of the child. Criminalizing young mothers or waiting until the mother dies before providing her with appropriate care is not pro-life.

Adoption is a great option, but the process isn’t perfect and the Department of Child Services has been chronically underfunded for years. Children were found sleeping on the floor of the DCS office and some of them were victims of physical violence by staff.

I will work to restore reproductive health care rights and fully fund our public schools, fully fund departments like DCS, and expand Medicaid and other health care services in Tennessee. We need to stop giving away our taxes to the rich and start investing more in our neighbors.

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Contact reporter Scott Broden with tips or questions at [email protected]. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

Rutherford County 2024 Election Schedule

Election Day for President and other offices for federal, state, Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna: November 5
Last day to register to vote in the November 5 elections: October 7
Postal voting period in case of absence in the November 5 elections: August 7-October 29
Early voting period for the November 5 election: October 16-31

Source: Rutherford County Board of Elections website