NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s Republican-dominant Statehouse approved a $52.8 billion spending plan Thursday for the upcoming fiscal year that includes an eye-popping $1.95 billion tax break and refund for businesses, but little new tax relief for most Tennessee families.
Even with the budget approved in the House and Senate, lawmakers still remained largely divided on whether they’ll advance any proposal to spend vastly more public money to send students to private schools throughout the state. In a budget crafted during slowing state revenues, it sets aside $144 million for a universal school voucher bill that has not passed, in case the deadlock breaks in the final days of the annual session.
Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has made universal school vouchers his top legislative priority. However, even with a GOP supermajority, the massive change faced an uphill battle as many rural lawmakers have remained hesitant about funneling their limited public dollars away from local schools.
Judge denies request for Bob Baffert
China sees robust recovery, vigorous growth in cultural, tourism industries: minister
SW China begins trial operation of interprovincial low
Packers sign former Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Andre Dillard
Energy storage industry put on fast track in China
Xinjiang sees record number of high
Sydney mall stabbing: Officer, bystanders hailed for confronting and stopping attacker
Emily Brown and Susanna Tapani each score as Boston returns from 24
China's development brings new opportunities for global growth
Shapiro says Pennsylvania will move all school standardized testing online in 2026
China trade fair Indonesia kicks off in Jakarta