Despite legislative setback
Gov. Bill Lee, in a visit to Chattanooga earlier this week, said that he’s enjoyed his sixth year as governor more than any other — in spite of the failure of his signature Education Freedom Scholarships Act to pass the legislature this year.
The first year (2019), he said, you’re just getting your feet on the ground. Then 2020 brought the COVID-19 pandemic and the critical student learning losses, which led to a special education session of the legislature in 2021. In 2022, his wife, Maria, was diagnosed with cancer (and subsequently has recovered). And in 2023 was the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, followed by protests and a special session of the legislature.
As to the scholarships act, Lee said he has been meeting with legislative candidates for open seats this spring to gauge where they stand on the issue. He didn’t predict passage next year but believes the legislation will have a better chance. And to those who were skeptical about the measure because of lack of accountability, as this page was, he stressed that accountability is very important to him and that he will work with the legislature next year to see what might be amenable.
Lee is term-limited and will serve as governor until January 2027.