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.
Jenna Bush Hager reveals her eight
Tesla asks shareholders to reinstate Elon Musk's $55 billion pay package
How the US failed to stop a Cambodian monkey ‘smuggling conspiracy’ — Radio Free Asia
Nadal loses to De Minaur in second round at Barcelona. Spaniard had returned from injury layoff
Thrice divorced Whoopi Goldberg, 68, admits she NEVER wanted to get married
North Carolina University system considers policy change that could cut diversity staff
Swedish Parliament votes to make it easier for people to legally change their gender
Catholic officials in Brooklyn agree to an independent oversight of clergy sex abuse allegations
Wesley Bryan would rather be at Hilton Head. He's leading in the Dominican Republic
The habits that add decades to your life