NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. William Slater, R-Gallatin, was recently honored by two children’s advocacy groups for his pro-family legislative record.
The 15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center recognized Slater as a Pillar of Hope in his community for his legislative work to improve the wellbeing of children, including for his support of the Savannah Grace Copeland Act. Additionally, education advocacy group TennesseeCan recently honored Slater with a School Choice Challenge Coin award, in part for his leadership as a co-sponsor of Tennessee’s landmark Education Freedom Act.
“Children are the future of the Volunteer State and it’s imperative that we set them up for success,” said Slater. “Republicans in the General Assembly have worked hard to protect kids, enhance parental rights in education and create an environment for all Tennesseans to prosper. I’m grateful to TennesseeCan and the Child Advocacy Center for these awards and I look forward to continuing to empower the next generation because when they thrive, so does our state.”
Slater, who serves as chairman of the House Education Administration Subcommittee, this year co-sponsored the Education Freedom Act, which established statewide school choice to give Tennessee families the opportunity to choose the educational path that best suits their child’s needs. The new law also made historic investments in public education.
The Savannah Grace Copeland Act significantly increased funding for child advocacy centers and forensic interviewers across Tennessee. These recurring dollars can be used for salaries, general liability, and other operating costs. Copeland was a 13-year-old girl from Knox County who was murdered in 2024.
Slater also passed legislation this session to expand parental rights through homeschool learning pods and to create a federal education deregulation task force that will help promote student success.
In the 2025-26 budget approved by the General Assembly in April, Tennessee Republicans allocated $41 million to support the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services with placement of children in the provider network, nearly $11 million to expand programming at the Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee, and $5.9 million to cover child care for more working families through an expansion of the Smart Steps Child Care Program.
Republicans prioritized public education by investing in teachers and working to increase academic outcomes by limiting distractions and ensuring students have the tools necessary to succeed. Nearly $200 million was allocated for one-time teacher bonuses, in addition to $27 million for summer learning programs and $63 million for K-12 infrastructure and facilities funding.
State Rep. William Slater represents District 35 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes Trousdale and part of Sumner County.