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. |
EU unveils 'remedy' for migrantsInterview: Vast potential for cooperation between Suriname, China, says Surinamese presidentMexico protests to UN chief over Ecuador's raid on embassyChina's homegrown unmanned aircraft takes to skyWaiting for the collapse of the 'China collapse' predictionBook on Xi's Discourses on China's Manufacturing Strength PublishedEcuador calls OAS resolution on Mexican embassy raid "fair"Interview: Vast potential for cooperation between Suriname, China, says Surinamese presidentHezbollah field commander, 3 fighters killed in Israeli strikes in S. LebanonFriendship Blossoms on the Belt and Road