Taxpayer Advocates Question Free School Meals
Justin Owen was cited on Fox 17 at 9 PM last night in the discussion about Nashville Metro Schools giving free lunch to every student that goes to school.
“There is no such thing as a free lunch. Somebody has to pay for this and it’s going to be taxpayers,”
says Justin Owen with the Beacon Center of Tennessee. Metro Schools estimates taxpayers will pick up an extra $10 million worth of free meals, even for the families who can afford to buy lunch. Tennessee’s Beacon Center, which tracks government waste, say that is the problem. “You’re adding people who really don’t need those goods or services, in this case, don’t need a free lunch, because they can afford to pay for it,” says Owen. Metro Schools says this program is a win for everybody because all children will be treated equally. Kindergartners through seniors in High School will eat breakfast and lunch for free when school returns August 6. You can read the entire article here.