Lee touts school voucher win and calls for innovation in state of state address
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo illustration: Allie Carl/Axios. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
Gov. Bill Lee used his state of the state speech on Monday to take a victory lap.
- He touted legislative wins from last month's special session, especially the statewide expansion of school vouchers to allow more families to use taxpayer money to attend private schools.
Why it matters: Lee's endured rugged legislative battles in seeking to implement vouchers in Tennessee's big cities and then expand them statewide.
What he's saying: "We innovated our approach to education with new, creative investments in public school facilities, and we have finally brought universal school choice to Tennessee families," Lee said in his annual address. "These pressing issues could not wait, and yet, we still have a lot of work to do in the legislative session before us."
Flashback: Lee also used the special session to pursue funding for Hurricane Helene relief in East Tennessee and new investments in immigration enforcement.
The big picture: Lee's speech focused on the theme of innovation, both in terms of how the state government operates and in its approach to economic development.
- He announced plans to dedicate $80 million for strategic economic development grants focusing on startups, new technology and research and development.
- "These are all pieces to a larger puzzle that will diversify our economy, which will bring even better jobs to Tennessee families and ensure Tennessee remains a leader in the Southeast," he said.
State of play: Lee also cast the return of President Trump to the White House as an opportunity for new collaborations with the federal government.
- "2025 should be the year to think bigger and to think boldly about what's possible, and go there," Lee said.
Zoom in: In his sixth year as governor, Lee said Tennessee is positioned to be the epicenter of energy innovation.
- He touted the Nuclear Energy Fund, created two years ago, for attracting energy companies to invest in the state.
- Lee also threw his support behind the TVA's application for an $800 million federal grant to develop the Clinch River Nuclear Site just west of Knoxville. Lee's proposed budget earmarks $50 million in state funding in support of the project to expand nuclear energy production.
- "Now is the time to develop the Clinch River Site and build the nation's first small modular reactor on Tennessee soil," Lee said.