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TN House District 48 GOP Rep. Bryan Terry faces Democrat Matt Ferry

Online Niel October 25, 2024

Election day is November 5

Terry and Ferry are seeking a two-year term to represent TN House District 48
Early voting will take place between October 16-31
Candidates answer questions about their positions on public charter school funding and vouchers to help pay for private schools
Candidates also answer questions about their qualifications for the positions and what other positions they hold

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

State Republican Bryan faces Democrat Matt Ferry the elections in Sector 48.

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

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

Much of the 48th District covers what is east of US Highway 231 from the north and south ends of Rutherford County.

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

Voting options ahead of the November 5 election: Rutherford County offers nine early voting locations between Oct. 16 and 31 before the Nov. 5 election

Three questions asked for answers of about 100 words or less about candidates’ qualifications, position on proposed voucher funding to help families pay for private school for children, and position on funding formula for public charter schools that operate independently of boards selected schools and district administrations.

The fourth question required the answer to be 200 words or less for other issues that the candidates support.

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What are your qualifications to serve in the office?

Terry: District 48 is an eclectic district with a multitude of unique needs. My diverse background and experience are well suited to best serve our community.

In addition to being a husband and father, I grew up in a blue collar, auto salvage family and owned a horse farm. I worked to become a doctor and small business owner. I serve as an affiliated associate professor for UT Graduate Medical Education and as the medical director.

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

Ferry: I was raised 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 non-profit 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 advocating for Medicaid and other health care expansion, 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 school voucher funds to help families pay for private education for children?

Terry: Every child has unique needs. As such, not every school or public system can meet these needs. Students should have the best opportunity to thrive and not be trapped in a situation that fails them.

Governor Lee did not introduce a bill or introduce a proposal; thus, my position will depend on the content of his proposal. Last year, the House proposal would have added about $11 million and $2 million a year to Rutherford County and Murfreesboro schools, respectively, while reducing the demand for new schools. Financially, such a bill would benefit our community.

Ferry: I am against any plan that takes funding from public schools and gives it to unaccountable private schools. Private schools are expensive and they can choose who is allowed to enroll. The governor’s plan would benefit only the very wealthy and hurt everyone else. Public schools deserve to be fully funded 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 school officials who claim the formula and funding requirements are negatively impacting the district?

Terry: The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula, in its first school year (23-24), increased revenue for Rutherford County Schools (RCS) by $66 million over the old Basic Education Program formula. Although RCS had the third highest growth in students, RCS received the most funding of any local education association (LEA) for growth. RCS does not have to fund a charter school up front, and charter schools have saved the county around $240 million in construction costs. The growth portion of TISA can be improved, but the funding formula has provided positive impact to the district.

Note: The state TISA added a combined $66 million more annually from the old funding formula to the Rutherford County and Murfreesboro school districts.

Ferry: I agree with their assessment. Rutherford County is growing so fast, it’s hard to build schools fast enough. Public funding for unaccountable charter schools will eliminate the funds needed to help us build more public schools. State legislation already underfunds our schools, and this voucher plan will further set them back millions of dollars. Over 90% of children attend public schools. We need to invest more in their schools, not less.

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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 created soaring inflation, record illegal immigration and massive debt. We are in better shape than most states, but we cannot overcome all the problems created by the federal government. Thus, I support a change 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 to see if we can increase the growth portion of TISA. Without a change from the failed Biden-Harris policies, it may be difficult to find funding in our 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 looking at the feasibility of such a program under our Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Finally, the Middle Point Landfill is scheduled to close in 2028. Although it is a local issue created in 1995 by the (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 ban on abortion, with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother. Extreme abortion bans hurt pregnant women. Criminalizing a doctor’s ability to provide care will drive more medical professionals out of the state.

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

Adoption is a great option, but the process isn’t perfect and the Department of Children’s Services has been chronically underfunded over the years. Children were found sleeping on the floor of the DCS office and some were physically abused 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 our tax dollars to the rich and start investing more in our neighbors.

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

2024 Election Schedule for Rutherford County

Election Day for President and other offices for federal, state, Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna government seats: November 5
Last day to register to vote in the November 5 election: October 7
Absentee voting by mail period for the November 5th election: Aug. 7-Oct. 29
Early voting period for the November 5 election: October 16-31

Source: Rutherford County Board of Elections website