Watch Donald Trump use Tic Tacs to demonstrate inflation
The Republican nominee Donald Trump held up two packages of Tic Tacs, suggesting inflation is causing smaller packaging.
Following a recommitment from former President Donald Trump to close the U.S. Department of Education on Monday, state officials are saying the move would “cut bureaucracy” and overall benefit the public education system in Tennessee.
Trump recommitted to phasing out the federal agency during an interview with X CEO Elon Musk on Monday.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, who over the last year has led an effort to explore feasibility of rejecting federal funds for K-12 education and replacing them with state dollars, supports the plan.
“I completely agree with President Trump that the Federal Department of Education needs to be dissolved,” Sexton told The Tennessean in a statement. “Let’s cut the bureaucracy established by President Carter, send the funds directly to the states, thus to the classrooms thereby restoring the power to the states.”
Tennessee receives $1.8 billion in Title I, IDEA, and other federal program funding each year, which support low-income students, students with disabilities, and school lunch programs.
Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, appointed a 10-member panel last year to review what federal funds Tennessee receives for K-12 education, and examine what “strings” are attached to those funds. Tennessee is the first state to take such a significant step to consider rejection of federal education funds.
Senate and House lawmakers disagreed on the consequences of forgoing more than $1 billion in federal funds, with the Senate report outlining how Tennessee schools would still be held to certain federal requirements even without taking the funds, and the state would have to forego other investments to fill the funding gap with state revenues.
More: Tennessee senators’ report highlights risks of rejecting federal education funding
Meanwhile, Tennesseans would continue to pay into federal education funding through their tax dollars without reaping any benefits.
Sexton reiterated in June that the idea is still on the table in the House and may come back next year.
“The federal government just creates problems and then attempts to force progressive polices onto the states, like boys playing girl sports, through title XI,” Sexton said. “Closing the federal department of education will only improve education in Tennessee.”
McNally also supports ending the federal agency, saying that such a decision would “definitely affect the current conversation regarding federal funds in Tennessee.”
“I absolutely support abolishing the federal Department of Education which would return more money and control to the states,” McNally said in a statement. “The increased flexibility that would follow the abolition of the department would most certainly serve the goals of those who wish to relinquish federal funds, perhaps even making such a move entirely unnecessary.”
Gov. Bill Lee’s office declined to comment.
Nearly half a billion approved in franchise tax refund
Tennessee has approved more than $440 million in franchise tax fund claims so far this year, spread among 24,000 different businesses.
Tennessee lawmakers earlier this year approved nearly $1.5 billion to facilitate the refunds, the largest item in the annual budget. Lee and Republican lawmakers said the widespread refunds were necessary to fend off a potential lawsuit, though Democrats criticized the plan.
Next year, the Department of Revenue is required to publish the names of companies who received a refund. The department declined to release the information until that period, which begins on May 31, 2025.
Documents obtained by The Tennessean earlier this year showed the largest portion of refund dollars will likely flow to companies outside of Tennessee. Of about 100,000 businesses eligible for a refund, 81% are located primarily in Tennessee, but 53% of refund dollars would flow to out-of-state companies.
Of the 100,000 taxpayers who would be eligible for refunds, 29% are in real estate, 15% in manufacturing, 13% are in retail, 7% are in accommodations and food service, and 5% are in health care, the records show.
Mitchell tries to push forward court challenge
State Rep. Bo Mitchell, D-Nashville, has asked a Chancery Court judge to set a motion hearing in a lawsuit against Metro Nashville and the Davidson County Election Commission.
Mitchell earlier this summer sued over allegations the commission violated state law when it certified the candidacy of his Republican opponent, Metro Council member Jennifer Frensley Webb.
The Nashville lawmaker maintains Frensley Webb did not have adequate qualifying signatures on her candidate petition, and that the commission inappropriately allowed external testimony to determine the veracity of signatures.
In late July, an attorney from Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office argued Mitchell’s “accusations fall short” and asked the court to either dismiss the petition or rule to uphole the election commission’s decision to certify Frensley Webb.
A judge has yet to respond to either filing.
Meanwhile, Mitchell and Frensely Webb are actively campaigning ahead of the general election for the House District 50.
Catch up on the week
Gov. Bill Lee appoints lawyer to review Tennessee State’s records at new board’s request
Bitcoin City? Tennessee officials tease new crypto-focused workforce development grant
New parent consent law has ‘unintended consequences’ for school nurses, English learners
Evangelicals for Harris? Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket draws surprising support from these religious groups
Got a question for us?
Got a question about state politics you would like us to tackle? Let us know. Email us at mabrown@tennessean.com, vjones@tennessean.com or statehouse@tennessean.com.
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Publish date : 2024-08-15 23:06:00
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