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.
The Titans go into the NFL draft flexible at No. 7 with lots of needs to fill
Taipei's Palace Museum launches high
Nanjing lose to Liaoning, miss CBA playoffs
Former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster secures a new role in Japan
The Dallas Stars have a big age gap with players who have come together for No. 1 seed in the West
Celebrity birthdays for the week of April 21
Emperor Qinshihuang's museum launches online ticket platform for overseas tourists
ITTF World Cup Macao 2024 kicks off
Kourtney Kardashian is 45! The reality TV star and wife of Travis Barker gets heart
China's kite festival draws enthusiasts from home and abroad
Panthers have many needs entering NFL draft, but no first
China's kite festival draws enthusiasts from home and abroad