The proposal failed to find support last year.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, the Tennessee House and Senate passed the proposed school choice program, a disaster relief package for those affected by Hurricane Helene and an immigration bill. Now, all three are headed to Lee’s desk for a final signature.

The Tennessee House attached an amendment to the proposal requiring local school boards to approve the program in order to access $2,000 bonuses for teachers.

The Tennessee state Congress passed Governor Bill Lee's heavily pushed school voucher bill Thursday, on what is expected to be the final day of the special session the governor called to vote on this initiative and several others.

The Senate sponsor defended the voucher proposal against critics who said it favors affluent families: “It shouldn’t be based on income. It should be universal.”

Gov. Lee’s voucher bill quickly went through two committees, the Education Committee and the Government Operations Committee. It is now headed to the House Finance Committee.

Gov. Lee called for a special session for his proposed school choice program, a disaster relief package for those affected by Hurricane Helene, and prepare the state for President Trump’s new immigration policies.

The bill would effectively allow public money to be used by families across the state to pay for private education costs. It will now head to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

Gov. Lee called for a special session for his proposed school choice program, a disaster relief package for those affected by Hurricane Helene, and prepare the state for President Trump’s new immigration policies.

Gov. Bill Lee’s special session will end today with a final vote on his statewide voucher scam. Top Senate Stories Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 Today’s Senate Schedule 11 a.m. Full Senate ... more

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called for a Special Session of the Tennessee General Assembly to address his proposed school choice program, The Education Freedom Act, as well