Governor’s budget plan calls for cutting voucher spending in half
Gov. Bill Lee’s plan eliminates $58 million proposed for teacher pay increases and includes $50 million for an employee buyout program.
Topic: Bill Lee
RSSThere are 808 article(s) tagged Bill Lee:
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June 2020
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State Supreme Court won’t hear school voucher appeal
A Davidson County chancellor in early May ruled the voucher program unconstitutional, saying the Legislature forced the program on Shelby and Metro Nashville without local approval.
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Some lawmakers oppose sending National Guard to D.C.
State Rep. Jesse Chism, who stood between the National Guard and peaceful protesters on the steps to the State Capitol Monday night, is opposed to sending Tennessee troops to the nation's capital as they mobilize.
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State to inject $200M into small businesses forced to close in pandemic
The Department of Revenue will look at the sales taxes reported by businesses statewide and prepare to make payments ranging from $2,500 for the smallest to $30,000 for the largest ones, as the state distributes federal CARES Act funds.
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Manufacturer defends masks, as state investigates
Mask distribution has been halted until results of an independent test of the Renfro mask and chemicals used in its manufacturing are confirmed.
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Tennessee deploys 1,000 troops to D.C. to deal with potential rioters
The Tennessee National Guard mobilizes 1,000 troops to stop potential rioting in the nation’s capital over the death of George Floyd.
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National Guard to remain mobilized across state
A day of peaceful protest of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis, Minnesota police erupted into violence Saturday night in Nashville as people set fire to the Metro Nashville Courthouse, clashed with police, then broke out windows and started fires in Lower Broadway honky-tonks and businesses.
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Lawmakers want more ‘checks and balances’ in state of emergency
State Rep. Tom Leatherwood is pushing for a full review of Tennessee’s state of emergency law and executive order rules, while state Rep. G.A. Hardaway says a legislative oversight panel could be convened for the rest of a state of emergency.
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May 2020
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Lee promises to preserve state funding for schools in budget crisis
It will be up to the state Legislature to set priorities on new education spending, such as a teacher pay hike, a scaled-down literacy initiative, and the state’s embattled education savings account program, the governor said.
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Nursing homes face punishment for failing to test for COVID-19
With nearly 40% of the state's COVID-19 deaths coming from nursing homes, Tennessee is ready to put sanctions on long-term care facilities if they fail to complete virus testing of staff and residents.
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Governor refuses Black Caucus’ request for universal absentee vote
Despite COVID-19 cases continuing to spread statewide, with Tennessee counting 373 more Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee is rejecting a request by the Tennessee Black Caucus to issue an executive order allowing universal absentee voting.
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State hits 400,000 coronavirus tests
”That means 6% of our population has stepped forward and asked for a test and received one,” Lee said during his press briefing.
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State issues guidelines for non-contact sports, summer camps, higher ed
Six counties – Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan – may continue to follow individual reopening plans created in consultation with state and local health departments.
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Tennessee to stop sharing COVID-positive information with law enforcement
Gov. Bill Lee’s Administration is ending a highly-criticized policy of sharing COVID-positive information with 911 boards and law enforcement agencies across the state, saying plenty of PPE is available and urging first responders to wear it when they interact with people.
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Five education issues to watch as Legislature resumes
As lawmakers begin returning to the Capitol, they’ll face cratering revenues and the need to make deep cuts to Tennessee’s spending plan.
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Lee Administration dodges Trump’s call for governors to open houses of worship
Gov. Bill Lee's Office isn't worried about President Donald Trump’s demand for houses of worship to open, saying he never ordered churches to close but did urge alternative services to avoid spreading COVID-19.
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Attorney General asks Supreme Court to intervene in voucher lawsuit
Gov. Bill Lee said the State Attorney General has filed a request for the Tennessee Supreme Court to take the Education Savings Account case and allow it to move forward while the case is on appeal.
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Governor boasts of strong coronavirus testing program
Gov. Lee pointed out a Harvard study found seven states are testing enough to open their economies; Tennessee was one of them.
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Watch Gov. Bill Lee’s briefing
Gov. Bill Lee’s coronavirus press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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Black Caucus urges governor to stop COVID information-sharing with police
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators is asking Gov. Bill Lee in letter form to end a program allowing personal information of COVID-positive people to be shared with law enforcement. Otherwise, it says people should refuse to give their addresses when tested.
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Appeals Court declines voucher program work during appeal
The Tennessee Court of Appeals rejected the state's efforts to keep working on the Education Savings Account program while it's under appeal and set an Aug. 5 hearing for arguments, which could make it difficult for the program to get the go-ahead in time to start offering vouchers this year.
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Lee tours new, $51M coronavirus care facility in former CA building
The hospital will open when numbers of COVID-19 patients make it necessary; they will arrive by ambulance in a drive-up bay off Beale Street.
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An open letter to Gov. Bill Lee about gun legislation
Easy access to guns has brought on an epidemic that has injured or taken the lives of more citizens, including children, than the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Lee says ‘everything’s on the table’ for budget cuts
Grappling with finances in the pandemic era, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says the entire budget is up for review, including funds tied to the Education Savings Account, though he favors keeping the program intact as the Legislature gets ready to convene June 1.
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Inmate advocate calls prisons’ COVID care a ‘nightmare’
With more than 12% of Tennessee prison inmates testing positive for COVID-19, an inmate advocate is raising questions about the cleanliness of facilities while challenging the state's numbers and policies.
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