The Tennessee legislature approved Gov. Bill Lee's signature education initiative during a special legislative session.

Leaders of multiple East Tennessee public school districts are sharing reactions to the decision of state lawmakers to approve Governor Bill Lee's statewide expansion of school vouchers.

A bill filed for school vouchers for Tennessee students has transitioned for a special session, finally mapping out the funding for how the initiative would even work.

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.”

The Tennessee state Congress passed Governor Bill Lee's heavily pushed school voucher bill Thursday, on what is expected to be the final day of the special session the governor called to vote on this initiative and several others.

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.

Governor Bill Lee's school voucher bill is making rapid progress through the Tennessee House, despite opposition from Democratic lawmakers.