NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Statehouse, under Republican leadership, convened for a special session on Monday, bringing forth Governor Bill Lee’s proposals to significantly broaden access to school vouchers while aligning with former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
However, the gathering was soon overshadowed by renewed public demands for gun control reforms, fueled by the recent tragic school shooting incident in Antioch. Just days prior, a 17-year-old student fatally shot a 16-year-old girl from the same school before taking his own life.
Governor Lee’s ambitious plans are projected to require an astounding $917 million. This includes $424 million allocated for the voucher program, which integrates existing education funding, and $470 million designated for relief efforts in northeastern Tennessee following Hurricane Helene. The financial implications of the immigration initiative remain unclear.
“These initiatives reflect the desires of the vast majority of Tennesseans,” Lee stated in a video posted on social media. “Our goal is to position Tennessee as a model of opportunity, safety, and freedom for all.”
Among the proposals is the establishment of a state immigration division. This division will be directed by a newly appointed official who is tasked with negotiating a partnership under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) program, which authorizes local law enforcement to undertake responsibilities usually assigned to ICE agents.
On the opening day of the session, lawmakers faced protests from advocates, including students from Antioch High, who urged for stricter gun control policies. Protesters gathered, chanting and displaying signs around the Capitol.
Mballow Danjo, a senior at Antioch High, expressed her frustration, stating, “Once again, an irresponsible gunman entered a school with an illegal firearm. This time, it was my school—my safe space.” She continued, “We are here once more pleading for tougher gun laws and meaningful gun reform.”
It’s been nearly two years since a separate shooting in March 2023 at a private elementary school in Nashville that resulted in six deaths, including three children. Following that event, citizens continuously pressed for gun control measures, but Republican leaders have largely resisted those efforts.
Given that the focus of the current special session is on school vouchers and immigration, it seems unlikely that the gun control issue will gain traction this time.
Governor Lee’s voucher initiative aims to offer 20,000 education scholarships worth about $7,000 each in the upcoming year, with 10,000 of those specifically reserved for individuals who are lower income, disabled, or currently involved in existing educational programs. The remaining scholarships would be accessible to any public school student.
This proposal arrives at a time when multiple states have enacted similar programs enabling families, regardless of their financial situation, to utilize public funds to explore alternative education options, including private schooling. Some of these measures are yet to be implemented.
Lee’s prolonged push to broaden school voucher access has had limited success; he managed to establish a voucher program for low-income families in three counties, but failed to gain sufficient support for a statewide initiative that would extend beyond income-based criteria last year.
External organizations have heavily lobbied on this contentious issue, with some groups financing campaigns to influence lawmakers’ decisions. David McIntosh, president of the conservative Club for Growth, cautioned legislators against opposing the voucher bill, warning that they could face costly primary challenges backed by his organization.
It remains uncertain how much influence such threats will exert on lawmakers. In previous elections, only a few Republican candidates backed by Lee and pro-voucher groups successfully secured their legislative positions, and some incumbents who advocated for vouchers faced defeat, rendering the outcome of the proposals unpredictable.
In parallel, the proposed immigration policies include imposing felony charges on local officials who adopt sanctuary policies, which prevent local governments from assisting ICE in detaining immigrants. Lawmakers also plan to introduce grants for training local law enforcement in immigration enforcement and providing fiscal incentives to local governments for forming agreements with federal authorities on immigration matters.
Another consideration involves implementing a unique, temporary driver’s license for lawful permanent residents that indicates their non-citizen status. Florida is also addressing immigration issues in its own special session that commenced on Monday.
