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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s push to create a statewide school voucher system is running out of time as Republican lawmakers work to reconcile significantly different proposals and iron out disagreements over student testing requirements.
After sailing through education committees and building early momentum, the bill has stalled for three weeks in finance committees — without public discussion.
GOP leaders hope to complete the 2024 session by April 26. That leaves two weeks to approve a state budget, decide on dozens of more bills and seek consensus on one of the biggest education proposals of Lee’s administration.
Senate Education Committee Chair Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, and House K-12 Subcommittee Chair Kirk Haston, R-Lobelville, have been key players during weeks of private negotiations.