By A.J. Kaufman, Managing Editor
To conclude National School Choice week earlier this winter, Gov. Bill Lee joined President Donald Trump at the White House.
Following his sweeping special session in Nashville, the Tennessee governor focused on his school choice program, a comprehensive disaster relief package for northeast Tennesseans affected by Hurricane Helene and a robust immigration bill. All passed the House and Senate.
In particular, Lee’s school choice plan — the Education Freedom Act (EFA) — gives 20,000 students about $7,300 each in public dollars to help them pay for private and alternative schooling across the state.
Before the final vote, all seven of Northeast Tennessee’s county mayors signed a letter voicing support for the measure. New District 4 State Sen. Bobby Harshbarger was one of a scant few Republicans to oppose the Act.
Specifically, SB6001/HB600 establishes the Volunteer State’s first-ever universal school choice program. Despite assorted misinformation from opponents, the bill invests in public schools, with increased K-12 facilities funding, and ensures state funding to school districts will never decrease due to disenrollment.
The law also gives a one-time $2,000 bonus to public school teachers if their districts opt-in to receiving the money.
House Majority Leader William Lamberth pointed to continued increases in education funding during recent years of Lee’s tenure.
“No public school loses even one red cent due to this bill,” he explained. “It is an extraordinarily good deal for a public school in this state.”
Instead of taking directly from public schools, the EFA will draw from lottery and sports betting revenue.
Meanwhile, SB6005/HB6005 appropriates $110 million to the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund, $100 million to the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund, $240 million to TEMA to reduce political subdivisions’ cost share obligations, and $20 million for the reconstruction of Hampton High School in Carter County — which was significantly damaged in the devastating storm and ensuing flooding.
Among much else, the immigration piece of legislation — SB6002/HB6001 — incentivizes local governments to enter into agreements with federal authorities to assist with immigration law enforcement, detention, and removal efforts. By coordinating participation in federal immigration programs, it also establishes penalties for officials who fail to comply with enforcement mandates.
“This special session scored many victories for the people of Tennessee,” Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said. “One more piece of the education reform puzzle has been put in its proper place. No longer will students be trapped by circumstance and geography. Parents across the state finally have a true choice in education.”
The historic EFA was signed into law Feb. 12 by Lee and goes into effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton added that, “We empowered parents with the freedom to choose the best education for their children. These steps strengthen our state, uphold the rule of law, and put Tennesseans first.”
During his seventh State of the State address on Feb. 10, Lee commended the General Assembly for moving “not at a government pace, but at a real-world pace.”
Of visiting Northeast Tennessee in Helene’s aftermath, Lee said he was “struck by the peoples’ response — churches, non-profits, everyday Tennesseans — and also by the local leaders’ passion, resilience, and love for their communities.”
Four county mayors from the Appalachian Highlands — Joe Grandy of Washington County, Kevin Morrison of Greene County, Larry Potter of Johnson County and Patty Woodby of Carter County — traveled to the State Capitol building in Nashville to watch the annual speech.
