Shelby County delegation bracing for special legislative session on school vouchers, immigration, and Helene Disaster Relief
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Tennessee House Minority Leader Karen Camper told Action News 5 Wednesday she’s not impressed with the special session Governor Bill Lee called for January 27 because it deals with multiple topics, not just the Education Freedom Act, the governor’s school voucher plan.
“It’s going to need to have this comprehensive look and review and conversation and discussion and questions,” she said, “so to put that along with the hurricane relief? And then this polarizing issue of immigration? It’s interesting that’s what he chose to do.”
Governor Lee announced the special session in a joint statement with Lt. Governor Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Majority Leader William Lamberth saying:
Rep. G.A. Hardway of Memphis believes GOP leadership will use hurricane aid to help secure votes for school vouchers.
“I think there’s going to be pressure on legislators from East Tennessee,” he said, “to vote for the voucher scam in order to ensure they get adequate funding.”
State Senator Brent Taylor disagreed.
“I think if we didn’t deal with it in special session, I think it’s more likely to be used as leverage on other issues throughout the remaining part of the session,” said Taylor, “and that’s why the governor wants to go ahead and do a special session because we can’t take up any other business as long as we’re in special session.”
Democrats are still no fan of vouchers, fearing the plan - which gives families $7000 to send their child to private school - takes critical dollars away from public education.
Both sides are now gearing up for an intense special session.
“I think there’s still some un-readiness on both sides,” said Rep. Camper, ”I know there is on our side of the aisle, but I also think there’s some on the other side of the aisle because this is, you know, going take a lot of work to get it done.”
To read the full statement from Governor Lee and GOP leaders, click here.
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