KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Earlier this week, Gov. Bill Lee announced he will call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special session later this month that will address the school voucher plan, as well as disaster relief for Hurricane Helene and public safety regarding illegal immigration.

The governor’s office made the announcement for a special session on Monday, Jan. 27, to pass his school voucher plan, the Education Freedom Act. Additionally, Lee will introduce a disaster relief legislative package addressing recovery needs for Hurricane Helene, as well as future natural disasters. The session will also address public safety measures regarding immigration, as the incoming Trump Administration has called on states to prepare for policy implementation. Lee will issue an official call and additional details will follow.

Lee released a joint statement with Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Majority Leader William Lamberth regarding the upcoming special session.

“We believe the state has a responsibility to act quickly on issues that matter most to Tennesseans, and there is widespread support in the General Assembly and across Tennessee for a special session on the most pressing legislative priorities: the unified Education Freedom Act and a comprehensive relief package for Hurricane Helene and other disaster recovery efforts. The majority of Tennesseans, regardless of political affiliation, have made it clear that they support empowering parents with school choice, and the best thing we can do for Tennessee students is deliver choices and public school resources without delay. Additionally, Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster across rural, at-risk, and distressed communities that cannot shoulder the local cost share of federal relief funds on their own. The state has an opportunity and obligation to partner with these impacted counties and develop innovative solutions for natural disasters going forward. Finally, the American people elected President Trump with a mandate to enforce immigration laws and protect our communities, and Tennessee must have the resources ready to support the Administration on Day One.”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is rumored to be eyeing the seat of Tennessee Governor in 2026, issued a statement thanking Lee for convening the special session.

“School choice puts parents in the driver’s seat,” Blackburn said. “Tennessee is standing with President Trump to improve education, crack down on illegal immigration and protect the safety and security of Tennesseans.” 

Education Freedom Act

Following the failure to pass his universal school voucher program in the General Assembly in 2024, Lee and legislative leadership introduced the unified Education Freedom Act (SB1/HB1) on Nov. 6, 2024 with the recognition that every Tennessee child deserves to attend the school that best fits their unique needs, regardless of income or zip code.

Per Lee, in addition to establishing Education Freedom Scholarships, the act will further invest in public schools and teachers “by delivering teacher bonuses to recognize their unwavering commitment to student success, increasing K-12 facilities funding, and ensuring state funding to school districts will never decrease due to disenrollment.”

“Lee and the General Assembly will maintain their commitment to public schools by further investing hundreds of millions of state dollars in the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula, and raising starting teacher pay,” officials said.

Lee’s school voucher program has received pushback from public school systems since its inception. Locally, the directors of schools for Tullahoma City Schools, Manchester City Schools and Coffee County Schools issued a joint statement in January 2024 opposing the school voucher plan.

TCS issued the following the statement to The News regarding the Education Freedom Act:

“Tullahoma City Schools urges the Tennessee General Assembly to consider the effects of the Education Savings Account on local school districts and instead seek ways to support and strengthen public schools throughout Tennessee.

“TCS is a cornerstone of our community, providing education services to all of its 3,650 students regardless of background, need, or ability. TCS is committed to ensuring students’ progress, grow, thrive, and excel in academics, arts, athletics, and more. TCS believes in school districts maintaining local control over their schools, ensuring they reflect the community’s needs and values.

“Tullahoma City Schools offers a diverse range of invaluable opportunities and specialized programs tailored to meet the individual needs of our students. These offerings encompass a comprehensive array and not only cater to the specific requirements of each student but also fulfill the mandate outlined in the Tennessee Constitution, ensuring free and public education for all.

“Ultimately, parents have a right to choose the education for their child, and TCS believes it is important for any parent to determine whether they select private, home-school, or public school options. With that said, if public state tax dollars are used to fund vouchers for students to seek private schooling options, then those private schools should have to adhere to the exact same rules and laws that all public schools adhere to day in and day out.” 

Disaster Relief & Immigration

The second item on the agenda for the special session will creating a plan that will address future preparations for emergencies following the aftermath of Hurricane Helen in September 2024. The damage caused from the hurricane was estimated to be at $1.2 billion, predominantly impacting at-risk and distressed counties.

Lee’s proposal will allow immediate legislative and budgetary action to support ongoing recovery efforts, as well as allow for proactive preparation for future emergencies.

The comprehensive plan, if passed, will invest more than $450 million in direct disaster relief. Key components of the plan include:

•     Disaster Relief Grants (DRG) Fund: $240 million to bolster Tennessee’s existing disaster relief fund, as well as reduce the local cost-share burden from 5% to 5% and fund the state match requirement in order to access federal funds and cover administrative costs.

•     Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund: $110 million to establish a new fund that will help local governments manage loan interest for recovery costs by covering interest costs at 5% per year for three years on loans for recovery expenses.

•     Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund: $100 million to create a new program inspired by the HEAL Program that will provide flexible financial resources for future emergencies, including agricultural recovery, unemployment assistance, and business recovery efforts.

•     $20 million for the rebuilding of Hampton High School in Carter County, which was significantly damaged in Hurricane Helene.

The Tennessee Democratic Party issued a statement condemning the governor for calling a special session of the General Assembly and using the urgent need for disaster relief for Hurricane Helene as a bargaining chip to push through his controversial school voucher plan.

“Governor Lee is exploiting the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene to advance his partisan agenda, forcing legislators to choose between helping disaster victims and undermining our public education system,” Hendrell Remus, TNDP Chair, said. “Holding disaster relief hostage to push school vouchers is political opportunism at its worst.”

The final item on the agenda for the General Assembly will consider public safety measures related to immigration to ensure the state is prepared for federal policy implementation. Last year, Lee directed key state agencies to begin making preparations and stand ready on day one of the Trump Administration to support efforts to secure the nation’s borders and keep communities safe.

The Tennessee Democratic Party also criticized the session’s address to public safety and immigration measures will be to design to align Tennessee policies with the incoming Trump administration.

“Governor Lee’s cynical strategy pits the needs of hurricane victims against the priorities of Tennessee families who rely on strong public schools,” the statement read. “This is not governing–it’s hostage-taking. Tennesseans deserve better.”

The party added that the state Democrats in the General Assembly have been standing by to provide all available funding for disaster relief, and called on the rest of the legislative body to put priority on the needs of Tennessee residents.

 “We’re calling on all members of the General Assembly to reject this manipulative agenda and focus on addressing the urgent needs of the people without advancing divisive policies that weaken our schools and communities.”