The week in politics: Lee won't commit to accountability measures for new voucher program

Gov. Bill Lee says he won’t compromise on accountability in Tennessee’s education system, but won’t commit specifically to including measures like annual testing or the controversial third grade retention law in his statewide school choice proposal.

Lee told reporters Thursday that his team is working to finalize details of his Education Freedom Scholarships legislation, which he outlined in November. 

“What I'm not going to compromise on is the idea that we need accountability,” Lee said. “We've obviously introduced accountability measures. We want to make sure that our accountability measures that have been put in place stay in place.”

But asked whether students participating in a new, expanded state-funded voucher program would be required to take TCAP tests – or repeat the third grade if they fail to meet state standards, as public school students do – the governor did not commit to including such measures in his proposal, saying private and homeschools already have their own accountability measures.

“That’s probably yet to be seen,” Lee said. “Private schools have accountability measures that are built into them now.”

Students in the current Education Savings Account program are required to take the TCAP.

Lee's office has previously said that his proposal does not currently include any accountability requirements for private schools accepting the state-funded scholarships.

Governor will take legislature’s lead on gun safety measures

Nearly a year after saying that Tennesseans “deserve a vote” on a proposal to keep guns out of the hands of people deemed a danger to themselves or others, the governor does not plan to propose any legislation related to gun safety this year.

“I'm not introducing that legislation myself,” Lee said.

The governor also did not express support for requirements for gun owners to safely store their firearms, when asked.

“At this time of year, you know, there are a lot of bills that are being filed. I don't look at those bills until they begin to go through,” Lee said when asked whether he would support legislation to require safe storage of firearms. “As a result of the special session there were a lot of public safety pieces of legislation that were brought forth, including that and I suspect we'll see them again.”

Lee has previously said that he does not plan to again propose his emergency protective order proposal to keep guns out of the hands of people found dangerous by a court after a hearing. On Thursday, the governor said his proposal should be considered, but he will follow the legislature’s lead.

“I still believe that we ought to consider what has been proposed,” Lee said. “I'm very interested to see just what the General Assembly wants to bring forth.”

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally to miss the beginning of session

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, will not be in Nashville to preside over the Senate when lawmakers return on Jan. 9 due to ongoing recovery from ankle surgery. In recent weeks, McNally has appeared at public events with his foot in a boot.

“While I am pleased to report that I have completed a second successful ankle surgery recently, as a result, I will be absent for the first few weeks of the legislative session," McNally said in a statement.

"On the orders of my doctor, I will be finishing up my recovery and physical therapy at my home in Oak Ridge. While I will not be physically present, I will be monitoring proceedings remotely and will be in daily, if not hourly, contact with Senate Leadership and staff. I look forward to returning to work in person as soon as I am able.”

Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, will preside over floor sessions along with other deputy speakers.

Sexton staffer shuffle

Doug Kufner, House Speaker Cameron Sexton's communications director since 2020, is leaving the post to join the Secretary of State's office.

“Doug has valuably served the House of Representatives for nearly a decade, and his leadership and loyalty will be greatly missed,” Sexton said. “We have been fortunate for the last three years to have someone with the knowledge and experience Doug has brought to our office each day. We wish Doug and his family well, and we thank him for his dedication and service to this office, and to our state.”

Sexton has tapped Connor Grady to fill the position. Grady was most recently the digital director on former Vice President Mike Pence's presidential campaign.

Kustoff endorses Trump

Tennessee U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown, is the latest in the state’s Congressional delegation to endorse former President Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination.

Kustoff remained one of the few in the delegation who had not yet committed to supporting the indicted former president.

“The past three years of failed leadership under Joe Biden has created an invasion at our Southern Border, crippling inflation, a drastic rise in violent crime, and our greatest ally, Israel, is under attack,” Kustoff wrote in a tweet on Thursday. “America needs a leader in the White House who can get our country back on track. That is why I am proud to endorse @realDonaldTrump for President.”

Both of Tennessee’s U.S. Senators are on Trump’s Federal Leadership Team for the state, alongside Republican U.S. Reps. Diana Harshbarger, John Rose, Mark Green, and Chuck Fleishmann, who have all endorsed the former president. Freshman U.S. Rep Andy Ogles has also endorsed the former president.

Ogles visits Mexican border with U.S. House Speaker

Ogles is one of 60 Congressional Republicans on a delegation trip to Eagle Pass, Texas, to tour the U.S. border with Mexico alongside U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson.

In a news conference Wednesday, the group pledged not to approve any further funding to aid Ukraine and Israel until the Biden administration secures the southern border. President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve $110 billion in new funding that includes support for Ukraine and Israel, which a bipartisan group of Senators have been meeting to build support.

But Biden’s proposal could face a significant fight in the House.

Ogles shared about his experience in a video posted to social media, describing a gap in the border barrier that he was told was opened to allow deer to cross through. Walking along the barrier, Ogles described seeing debris left behind by migrants who crossed into the United States, including empty water jugs and soda bottles, a diaper, and a shred of an emergency blanket.

Lee named states co-chair of Appalachian Regional Commission

Lee has been named States Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, a 13-state economic development partnership of the federal government focused on economic growth in Appalachia.

Lee will work alongside Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin, former first lady of West Virginia.

“Governors are reminding the nation that community investment & economic development move America forward,” Lee said in a social media post. “Together, we will continue investing in projects that expand opportunity, security, & freedom for all.”

Tennessee opts in to summer nutrition program

Tennessee will join a federal summer meals program, permanently extending a pandemic-era program to provide eligible families with up to $40 per child, per month, to supplement grocery costs.

Tennessee notified federal authorities in late December of their decision, which came after a coalition of advocacy groups wrote the governor and the Department of Human Services urging the state to take advantage of the federal dollars on the table.

The Tennessee Justice Center, which organized a letter writing campaign to urge adoption of the program, estimated the summer food program would bring more than $77 million in federal funds for around 644,000 eligible Tennessee kids.

More: Will Tennessee kids have permanent summer food benefits? Here's what to know

Catch up on the week

Beacon Center poll finds high support for Tennessee school voucher expansion

Tennessee legislature can shield its harassment investigation records, judge rules

EXCLUSIVE: Tennesseans high on quality of life but at odds with lawmakers on key issues

Tennesseans on education: Less than half give public schools positive marks, poll finds

Tennesseans back Trump but a nearly third of GOP says party on the wrong track, poll shows

Tennessee legislature's harassment policy so far unchanged since lawmaker resignation

Tennessee Republican files bill aimed to ban pride flags, trans flags in public schools

Tennessee first lady Maria Lee opens up about her cancer battle: ‘The Lord has healed me’

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee legislative session: School vouchers and accountability