: The Tennessee Senate voted to pass the school voucher bill on Thursday, meaning the bill will head to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

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.

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

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.”

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

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A bill expanding the Tennessee's school voucher program is heading to Gov. Bill Lee's desk after lawmakers passed it on the fourth day of a special session in Nashville. Senators passed the universal school voucher bill in a 20-13 vote Thursday afternoon after debate and discussion about its possible impact on the state.

The bill would effectively allow public money to be used by families across the state to pay for private education costs. It will now head to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

The Tennessee House attached an amendment to the proposal requiring local school boards to approve the program in order to access $2,000 bonuses for teachers.

The school voucher program passed at the Tennessee State Capitol but not everyone is celebrating it becoming law.

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.

Burchett previously said many counties in his district don't have private schools but he supports parents having a choice of where their children are educated.