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Gov. Invoice Lee introduced Wednesday that he’ll name Tennessee lawmakers right into a particular session this month to take up his statewide faculty voucher proposal, in addition to “public security measures” to organize for immigration insurance policies beneath President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
He additionally desires the legislature to approve a catastrophe reduction package deal for Hurricane Helene flooding final fall in northeast Tennessee, together with $20 million to rebuild Hampton Excessive College in rural Carter County.
The particular session will start on Jan. 27.
Lee stated he’ll challenge his official name and supply extra particulars within the coming days.
The announcement got here virtually every week earlier than Trump takes workplace and someday after the 114th Common Meeting convened a brand new session headlined by Lee’s Schooling Freedom Act.
Lee informed reporters final week that he desires the common voucher invoice accredited in early 2025 in hopes of beginning a statewide program this fall to let extra Tennessee households use taxpayer funding to ship their kids to non-public faculties. He hinted then that he would possibly use his authority to name a particular session to deal with his voucher plan, amongst different issues.
Catastrophe reduction was anticipated to be a part of a possible particular session. Lee’s workplace stated Wednesday that he’ll suggest “speedy and budgetary motion to help ongoing restoration efforts and permit for proactive preparation for future emergencies.”
Inclusion of immigration coverage was considerably of a shock, nonetheless, at the same time as Trump has pledged to order mass deportation of immigrants. Experiences point out Trump might put off the delicate places coverage that restricted immigration enforcement in faculties, hospitals, and church buildings, leaving these establishments to plan for methods to guard college students and households.
In December, the governor tweeted that he had directed key state businesses to start making preparations to be prepared on Day One of many Trump administration.
This growing story shall be up to date.
Marta Aldrich is a senior correspondent and covers the statehouse for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Contact her at [email protected].
