On Thursday, Jan. 30, the Tennessee House and Senate passed the proposed school choice program, a disaster relief package for those affected by Hurricane Helene and an immigration bill. Now, all three are headed to Lee’s desk for a final signature.

: The Tennessee Senate voted to pass the school voucher bill on Thursday, meaning the bill will head to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

The school voucher program passed at the Tennessee State Capitol but not everyone is celebrating it becoming law.

The Senate sponsor defended the voucher proposal against critics who said it favors affluent families: “It shouldn’t be based on income. It should be universal.”

Representative Rebecca Alexander and Senator Bobby Harshbarger voted no to Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act, commonly referred to as the school voucher bill. Both lawmakers say their decision came down to what the majority of their constituents favored.

The Tennessee House attached an amendment to the proposal requiring local school boards to approve the program in order to access $2,000 bonuses for teachers.

A push to expand Tennessee's controversial school voucher program will take center stage in a special legislative session.

The bill would effectively allow public money to be used by families across the state to pay for private education costs. It will now head to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

Gov. Bill Lee’s bill to expand school vouchers statewide has sailed through two House committees, setting up a final floor vote as early as Wednesday.

Senate Republican Caucus Chair Ken Yager (R-Kingston) and Senate Finance Committee Chair Bo Watson (R-Hixson) appear alongside Gov. Bill Lee on Jan. 30, 2025, following the end of the special session on school vouchers, immigration and disaster relief.

Senate Bill 2 would set aside $1 billion in taxpayer money to give some parents $10,000 vouchers to spend at private schools.