Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee has announced a special legislative session on January 27th to tackle key issues, including his proposed Education Freedom Act for school choice, disaster relief measures for Hurricane Helene, and public safety initiatives related to immigration.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced a special legislative session scheduled for Monday, January 27th, to address key priorities, including his proposed school choice bill, the Education Freedom Act. Governor Lee stated that the session will also focus on disaster relief measures for Hurricane Helene and future natural disasters, as well as public safety initiatives concerning immigration in light of President-elect Trump's requests for states to prepare for policy implementation.
Lee's announcement follows a similar move by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who called for a special session to coordinate Trump's planned crackdown on illegal immigration. The Tennessee Governor's joint statement, issued alongside Lt. Governor Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, and House Majority Leader William Lamberth, emphasized the urgency of addressing these pressing legislative priorities. They highlighted the widespread support within the General Assembly and across Tennessee for a special session focused on empowering parents with school choice through the Education Freedom Act and providing comprehensive relief for Hurricane Helene and other disaster recovery efforts. The statement further underscored the state's obligation to support impacted counties, especially rural, at-risk, and distressed communities, who face challenges meeting the local cost share of federal relief funds.Acknowledging President Trump's mandate to enforce immigration laws and protect communities, the Governor's team stated that Tennessee must be prepared to support the incoming administration from day one. Lee's press secretary, Elizabeth Lane Johnson, confirmed that the state has already begun preparing for federal immigration policy implementation under Governor Lee's direction last year. The special session aims to ensure Tennessee is well-positioned to collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in executing the Trump Administration's plan to enforce existing federal immigration laws. Johnson emphasized the crucial role that states will play in partnering with the Trump administration to enhance community safety. Governor Lee, whose initial school choice proposal faced setbacks in the state legislature earlier last year, expressed optimism about the current political climate in Tennessee. He highlighted the success of pro-school choice candidates in the recent elections and Trump's decisive victory, suggesting a more favorable environment for his education reform agenda. Lee reiterated his agreement with Trump's pledge to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, sharing concerns about the perceived entrenchment of gender and race ideology within the federal bureaucracy. He asserted that states, particularly Tennessee, are best positioned to determine the educational needs of their children and advocate for greater parental influence in their education. Lee believes that dismantling the federal Department of Education and redirecting its funds to states would result in a more efficient and effective educational system. He emphasized President Trump's long-standing support for school choice and his commitment to expanding educational freedom for all Americans. Governor Lee's new school choice bill, the Education Freedom Act of 2025, aims to utilize funding already approved by the state legislature to award up to 20,000 scholarships, valued at approximately $7,000 each, for the upcoming school year. These scholarships can be used for tuition, tutoring, technology, and examination expenses, further promoting parental choice in education
SCHOOL CHOICE IMMIGRATION DISASTER RELIEF TENNESSEE GOVERNOR LEE EDUCATION FREEDOM ACT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
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