Lindsay Patrick-Wright
(Dem)
Biographical Information
Education
B.A. Rhodes College; M.L.I.S., University of Southern Mississippi
Campaign Phone
6292316170
What steps should the State Legislature take to ensure a quality education for students?
The Legislature should focus on strengthening our public schools by fully funding education, investing in teachers, and expanding opportunities for every child. One of my top priorities is making voluntary Universal Pre-K available to every Tennessee family because we know early learning improves student outcomes and helps working parents. We must also raise teacher pay, invest in counselors and mental health services, strengthen Career and Technical Education, and ensure schools have the resources they need to succeed. Instead of diverting taxpayer dollars through vouchers, we should invest in the public schools that serve more than 90% of Tennessee students.
What, if any, should be the role of the State Legislature in the regulation of data centers?
The State Legislature has a responsibility to set clear statewide standards that protect our communities while respecting local control over land use. Data centers can bring economic investment, but they also place significant demands on our power grid, water supply, roads, and emergency services. The Legislature should require transparency, ensure companies pay their fair share of infrastructure costs, establish reasonable environmental standards, and give local governments and residents a meaningful voice in siting decisions. Growth should benefit Tennessee communities—not come at their expense.
What is something that you would like to accomplish during the next legislative session?
My top priorities are strengthening public education and making Tennessee more affordable for working families. I want to stop the expansion of private school vouchers and keep public dollars invested in our public schools. I also want to begin building a path to voluntary Universal Pre-K, because every child deserves a strong start and every family deserves access to affordable early education. Finally, I will continue fighting to eliminate the state grocery tax, giving Tennessee families meani
What do you think the State Legislature should do about the affordability crisis facing Tennesseans
The affordability crisis requires practical solutions that put working families first. The Legislature should eliminate the state grocery tax, expand access to affordable childcare through voluntary Universal Pre-K, increase the supply of attainable housing, and ensure wages keep pace with the cost of living. We also need to protect access to affordable healthcare and invest in infrastructure that supports growing communities. Tennessee families are working hard—they need a government that helps