A special session of the Tennessee General Assembly commenced on Monday, highlighting the influence of President Trump’s conservative agenda on state-level Republican initiatives. Governor Bill Lee has proposed measures to enhance immigration enforcement, including establishing a state position to coordinate with Trump administration policies.
Additionally, Governor Lee has urged lawmakers to reconsider his plans for expanding public funding for private schools across Tennessee. The outcomes of this session may indicate the extent to which conservative-led states will implement Trump's broader policy objectives, as many states begin their regular legislative sessions.
Republican supermajorities, particularly in Southern states, have long supported conservative policies. The previous Biden administration often criticized their actions, whereas the Trump administration is more aligned with their agenda. David Shonerd, a senior director at a state government relations firm, noted that red state legislatures are now more empowered to pursue their goals with a supportive federal partner.
Governor Lee has also called for the legislature to address disaster aid for eastern Tennessee communities affected by floods from Hurricane Helene last year. Supporters argue that using this special session to focus on three key issues allows for expedited legislative action.
Trump has urged other governors to adopt similar immigration policies, with Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis convening a special session to consider legislation that would enhance local authority to detain and deport undocumented individuals. In South Carolina, lawmakers are advocating for hospitals to report patients' immigration status, while legislators in Georgia and Tennessee are pushing for increased penalties against local governments that resist state immigration laws.
A recently introduced bill in Mississippi proposes a bounty hunter program for undocumented individuals. In Tennessee, another bill seeks to impose tuition fees on undocumented students attending public schools.
Governor Lee is advocating for the appointment of a chief immigration enforcement officer and supports bills that would penalize non-compliant cities and officials. Critics, including Judith Clerjeune from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, argue that these proposals reflect a narrow view of immigration and undermine local funding.
Democrats have accused Governor Lee of politicizing hurricane aid by linking it to contentious immigration and school voucher proposals. They emphasize that the primary focus should be on providing financial assistance to communities impacted by flooding. However, with Republicans holding a supermajority, bipartisan support is often unnecessary for passing legislation.
On the same day, hundreds of students rallied at the State Capitol advocating for stricter gun laws following a shooting at a Nashville high school. They criticized the limited focus of the special session, expressing their discontent with Republican lawmakers.
The proposal for a statewide school voucher program, a long-standing goal for Governor Lee, faces challenges. Despite some support from eastern Tennessee mayors, several school boards have publicly opposed the initiative. While conservative activists have worked to promote voucher programs, previous attempts to expand them statewide have encountered resistance from rural conservatives protective of public education.
Governor Lee indicated he would push for the voucher initiative again this year, bolstered by Trump’s endorsement of school choice. Recently, Trump appointed Penny Schwinn, a former Tennessee education commissioner involved in the state’s voucher program, to the U.S. Department of Education.
In the lead-up to the special session, Republicans circulated endorsements for the voucher plan, including support from a conservative policy institute. However, it remains uncertain whether this backing will suffice for the proposal's passage. The plan aims to allocate approximately $7,000 in scholarship funds for each of 20,000 students, with a focus on those with disabilities or from low-income families, along with bonuses for public school teachers.