Gov. Lee: Tennessee lawmakers 'made every effort to follow the law' when redrawing congressional districts
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee gave a peek into his 2022 priorities Monday and said he believes state lawmakers "made every effort to follow the law" when crafting a controversial plan to carve Davidson County into three congressional districts.
Since the legislative session began earlier this month, the top priority has been redistricting. The GOP-backed proposal would split Democratic Davidson County into three Republican-dominated districts.
The move could give the GOP an 8-1 edge in the state's congressional delegation following this year's midterm elections.
Lee, a Republican heading into reelection this year, told the Rotary Club of Nashville he will decide whether to sign the redistricting bills "when they get to my desk." But in response to an audience question, Lee said he believed lawmakers followed the law when redrawing the districts following the 2020 Census.
The Senate passed the new congressional map last week, and the House approved it Monday night.
Education formula and infrastructure spending
In the weeks leading up to the new year, Lee's administration started discussions on a new funding formula for schools across the state.
Lee said the plan is coming together after the education department has spent several months receiving public input on what needs to change. Earlier this month, the state released a draft framework of a potential new funding formula.
The state also has a new website for the public to track learning loss, which Lee said is a "huge problem."
"What has happened in our schools as a result of the closure of schools for COVID is an enormous challenge," Lee said. "We are just figuring out how big of an issue it is."
The website was launched shortly before the governor's speech.
Infrastructure is also expected to be a top priority this year, as Tennessee is set to receive $3.9 billion from the American Rescue Plan and another $8 billion as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress last year.
The money won't come all at once, but Lee stressed the need to invest in broadband, and water and sewage upgrades.
Lee is scheduled to give his State of the State address at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31.
Adam Friedman is The Tennessean’s state government and politics reporter. Reach him by email at afriedman@tennessean.com.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Gov. Lee hints at approval of new district maps, discusses education
