Gov. Bill Lee yesterday unveiled his long-awaited plan to overhaul public school funding in Tennessee.

• Administration officials said the plan will increase funding for local districts with stable enrollment.

Why it matters: Tennessee ranks near the bottom nationally for education funding, and experts say the current system for divvying up resources does not give districts enough to meet the complex needs of their students.

• Lee's proposal turns toward a student-based funding model that most other states have already embraced.

How it works: The new funding formula calls for $9 billion in annual state and local funding. It would allocate a base amount of $6,860 per student to districts.

• Additional funding would be doled out based on a series of factors. For instance, economically disadvantaged students would get a 25% boost to their base amount.
• Extra funding would go to students with special learning needs — including English learners or students with dyslexia — and to students in small or sparsely populated districts.
• Programs to improve literacy, provide tutoring and allow for career technical education would also generate additional funding for different pockets of students. Districts could get more funding based on student outcomes or fast enrollment growth.

By the numbers: Under the new funding formula, Metro Nashville Public Schools would see its funding jump by about 7%, or $47.5 million, according to a state estimate.

Meanwhile, charter school students would get a 4% bump to their base funding amount. Education commissioner Penny Schwinn said that would go toward facility needs currently paid for outside the funding formula.

What they're saying: "We need to invest more in our public schools in our state, but we don't need to invest in a bulky, out-of-date funding formula," Lee said while announcing the plan.

What's next: The governor's plan now goes to the General Assembly.

Former Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell announced Thursday she is running for the newly drawn District 5 congressional seat.

Why it matters: Harwell, a Nashville Republican, brings a three-decade track record and top name recognition to what is expected to be a bitter GOP primary.

• Harwell touted her experience eliminating taxes, promoting school choice and balancing the state budget in her announcement.

The intrigue: Harwell's campaign describes her as "the only proven conservative leader and reformer" in the race.

• Her opponents include political newcomers Morgan Ortagus, the former state department spokesperson, and conservative activist Robby Starbuck.
• Retired National Guard Brig. Gen. Kurt Winstead also announced he is also officially entering the primary race.

Between the lines: The specter of former President Trump hangs over the GOP primary after he endorsed Ortagus so early.

• In an interview with Axios, Harwell mentioned her Trump bona fides, pointing out that she voted for Trump and contributed to his campaign. Trump also nominated Harwell to the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors.
• "I probably agree with 99% of Trump's policy, but we differ in tone," she says. "With that, maybe that tone was necessary to get things done. But at the end of the day, this is an election about the people who live in this district, not outsiders."
• "As far as I know, President Trump has never lived in the 5th congressional district."

Context: Harwell finished fourth in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary, won by Gov. Bill Lee.

• Representing the affluent Green Hills area in the state House, Harwell served as speaker from 2011 to 2018. She's the only woman in Tennessee history to hold the powerful position.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced yesterday the city is entering into emergency contracts with two companies to help pick up curbside trash.

• Red River Waste Solutions, the city's longtime trash collector, filed for federal bankruptcy in October and has failed to keep up with some of its routes.
• In response, Metro Water Services has sent employees to pick up trash, resulting in delays in neighborhoods across the city and a temporary pause to curbside recycling.

Why it matters: Cooper's administration is contracting with Waste Management and Waste Pro to take over some of Red River's routes on a temporary, emergency basis.

• "I expect you will see dramatic improvements," Cooper says, adding that the city is committed to finding a "permanent solution" to the trash collection challenge.
• Wally Dietz, Cooper's top legal adviser, says the city has a hearing next month in the bankruptcy case on its request to hire a permanent trash collector to handle some of the daily routes.

💰 The Tennessee Supreme Court once again heard arguments in the lawsuit over Gov. Lee's school voucher program. (Tennessean)

📄 A new report tried to determine why some local businesses are struggling to find workers. (WPLN)

🗳 The field is set for judicial and other county elections later this year. (Nashville Post)

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👋 Adam here. This week, my boyfriend Forrest and I planned a Restaurant Week date night at Church & Union before going to see "The Prom" at TPAC.

• They're offering three-course dinner specials at $35 per person through Sunday.

What we ate: I opted for steak and salad. Forrest got the pork chop and a playful take on French onion soup, with the broth encased in pasta.

• My filet mignon — which included crispy onions on top and a rich, creamy sauce — was worth the $15 upcharge.
• For dessert, we tried the hot chocolate gateau and the red velvet cake, a surprise addition to the Restaurant Week menu.

Our favorite dish: Nothing compares to cream cheese icing. I'm still drooling over that red velvet cake two days later.

• Best of all, the slice was big enough for each of us to enjoy several bites.