19 months ago, the gov's Faith Based office fought for the state to sign a $4.2M no-bid contract with Oregon-based tech company The Contingent to "supercharge" foster family recruitment. The company was under audit at the time. There's been no recruitment spike. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

For its first 5 years, Gov. Lee's Faith Based Office supported a six-member staff with entirely private donations. Now, it's almost completely run on $1.5 million in state funds. They provided @vivianejones.bsky.social with little detailed info on that spending: www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Wondering where students & schools participating in TN's new taxpayer-funded private school voucher program are located? While population details are still not available, @thetennesean.bsky.social mapped new data on school and student county locations from TDOE: www.tennessean.com/story/news/e...

Who what when where why not be our Valentine? Send these to someone you’re headline over heels for. 💌

This week in politics: -Are grocery tax cuts coming this year? -Schwinn's job under scrutiny in UF audit -Holt named to Duck River panel despite previous EPA complaint -Sparks alleges prosecutorial pressure in Kelsey case For @thetennesean.bsky.social subscribers: www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

With pressure mounting from out-of-state groups to support a statewide school voucher program in Tennessee, rural officials generally oppose bringing vouchers to their community, while many rural lawmakers say they will support the policy anyway. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

From this morning's @nashvillebanner.bsky.social newsletter, I asked how Metro Nashville Public Schools will handle immigration enforcement activity at schools:

GOP lawmakers signaled they aim to end the special session this week, meaning nearly $1B of legislation on school vouchers, hurricane relief, transportation funding and immigration enforcement could be pushed through the General Assembly in just days. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Breaking: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is calling a special legislative session beginning Jan. 27 on: —private school vouchers —Helene disaster relief —preparations to implement Trump immigration policies @itsmelissabrown.bsky.social has details: www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Newly obtained text messages show that former top House aide Cade Cothren discussed a separate, similar kickback scheme as early as 2016, involving a consulting firm used by top Republican leaders and the House GOP Caucus. From me @thetennesean.bsky.social www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

-Lee meets with Trump at Mar-a-Lago -Foreshadowing a special session on vouchers, Helene -Bill proposes a new 5% tax on lottery tickets -New filing in Jones v. Sexton lawsuit And more this week in politics from @itsmelissabrown.bsky.social and me: www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Expanding Tennessee's oversight over federal grants and local laws, preparing for an end of the U.S. Department of Education and expanding opportunities for child care providers are top priorities for Speaker Cameron Sexton as lawmakers return to the state Capitol. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Tennessee's legislature will return to the State Capitol one week from today (excuse me while I find the largest available coffee cup). Here are 7 key issues to watch when they come back, from @itsmelissabrown.bsky.social and me: www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Since 2019, TN DCS has collected $31.5M in Social Security benefits for orphans in state custody to fund their care. On average, $42k/child. With a high homelessness rate as DCS youth age out, Sen. Jeff Yarbro says TN should keep the money in trust for the kids. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

A little @vivianejones.bsky.social scoop to start the day. Lee administration already meeting with potential school voucher vendors ahead of the legislative battle over a statewide expansion next year. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...

Gov. Bill Lee has repaid $1,900 in travel expenses to a Florida resort island conference this summer at the request of the TN Ethics Commission, who found the expenses constituted an indirect illegal gift. www.tennessean.com/story/news/p...