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.
Alabama court authorizes executing a man convicted of killing a delivery driver
Auckland's rail operators promise city's trains will run more smoothly
West Coast ratepayers must decide: 27% rates hike, or 44%?
Explainer: What do we know about Kate's preventative chemotherapy?
Tibetan political leader ‘optimistic’ about passage of US bill on Tibet — Radio Free Asia
Small earthquake felt in Wellington region
Ministry for the Environment asks for voluntary redundancies
Coronavirus news: American tries to slip through quarantine
Group condemns 'humiliating searches' by security at Barcelona stadium
Ministers to mark 75 years of NATO, discuss more support for Ukraine
Zara Tindall and her husband Mike share a loved
World Court orders Israel to halt Gaza famine; Hamas says ceasefire needed