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Lee noncommittal on legislation involving immigration, schools | Tennessee

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Lee: Tennessee positioned to handle future funding challenges | Tennessee

www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-28 12:00:00

(The Center Square) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said there are a lot of unknowns concerning a bill that would allow school districts to ban students who are illegally in the country.

Protestors have gathered outside the state capitol and packed committee rooms during debates of the bill, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, and in the House by Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland.

“To the specifics of the legislation before the General Assembly right now, it’s not finalized,” Lee said during a visit to Chattanooga this week. “They’re different versions of the bill, there are different amendments, there’s a lot unknown yet about where this is going to land. Until I know more about that, I can’t speak to the particulars of it.”

Lee said the Biden administration created a problem with illegal immigration.

“It leaves lawmakers with the challenges of addressing the mess that was created by that, including issues with overburdened school systems,” Lee said. “I think that is part of what you are seeing there.”

The 1982 Plyer vs. Doe ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court said U.S. public schools must allow children illegally in the country to attend unless “a substantial state interest is involved.”

William Mendoza of Knoxville said during a subcommittee meeting of the House Education Committee that he believes lawmakers are hoping to set a national precedent.

“I think we are wasting taxpayers money,” Mendoza said. “We have seen how this bill that is trying to be passed is just a game because they just want to bring it up all the way to the Supreme Court to be able to challenge it.”

The bill is on Tuesday’s calendar for the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee. It is assigned to the Government Operations Committee in the House.

Both chambers could vote next week on another piece of legislation addressing illegal immigration.

Sen. Majority Leader Jack Johnson and Rep. Lee Reeves, R-Franklin, are sponsoring a bill that negates out-of-state driver’s licenses for people illegally in the country. Those caught could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor.

“The majority of states that issue licenses to illegal immigrants issue a distinctive license,” Johnson said. “The bill requires the Department of Safety to go through and create a list of these licenses. Those licenses will not be valid licenses here in the state of Tennessee.”

The bills have passed House and Senate committees.

Lawmakers agreed to a bill in a January special session that creates a Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division to act as a liaison with the Trump administration on immigration. The legislation also establishes a grant program for law enforcement agencies that participate in a federal immigration program that allows them to perform some immigration duties.

Local officials that support sanctuary cities could be charged with a Class E felony under a separate piece of legislation passed during the special session.

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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

These Tennessee cities rank at the bottom for most affordable rent, study says

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www.wkrn.com – Alicia Patton – 2025-04-20 07:00:00

SUMMARY: A WalletHub study ranked Memphis as the lowest among Tennessee cities for affordable rent, placing 153rd out of 182 cities analyzed. Other Tennessee cities include Knoxville (152), Nashville (102), and Chattanooga (82). The study compared median rent costs to household income, finding that Memphis residents spend 26.31% of their income on rent, while Chattanooga residents spend 22.71%. The five cities with the most affordable rent are Bismarck, Sioux Falls, Cheyenne, Cedar Rapids, and Fargo. Conversely, Miami, Newark, New Haven, Detroit, and Glendale were identified as having the least affordable rent.

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Rome Ramirez: Solo Debut

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Rome Ramirez: Solo Debut

www.youtube.com – WKRN News 2 – 2025-04-18 15:12:58

SUMMARY: Rome Ramirez, former Sublime member, celebrates his solo debut with the single “Why Me.” The song reflects his 15-year journey with Sublime, flipping the negative question “Why me?” into a message of gratitude and perseverance. Written with close friend Chris Galbuta, the track showcases Ramirez’s personal growth. The debut single’s cover artwork features a young Ramirez with a Sublime poster, symbolizing his roots. Ramirez, now living in Nashville, is also gearing up for upcoming festivals, including Summerfest in Milwaukee, while releasing more music throughout the year. He remains grateful for his experiences with Sublime and his musical journey.

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He is a multi-platinum singer and songwriter, and now He is debuting his solo career today on Local On 2! You know Rome Ramirez from his time as the front man of Sublime and Rome! Now he is stepping out on his own with his new song, “Why Me?”

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Tennessee’s March revenues below estimates | Tennessee

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Tennessee's March revenues below estimates | Tennessee

www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-18 12:36:00

(The Center Square) – Tennessee’s revenues for March were $33.3 million less than the budgeted estimates, according to Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson.

The $1.6 billion in collections is $69.3 million less than March 2024.

“Sales tax receipts, which reflect February’s consumer activity, were likely impacted by adverse weather conditions,” Bryson said. “Corporate tax collections came in slightly below target but remained largely in line with expectations.”

Fuel taxes exceeded budget expectations, increasing by $9.1 million, a 10.39% jump.

Corporate collections are down 13.9% when compared to March 2024, a difference of $44 million. Corporate tax revenues year-to-date are 9.65% below estimates and down 22% when compared to August 2023 to March 2024 numbers. The General Assembly passed a corporate franchise tax cut in 2024 that was estimated to cost the state $1.6 billion. Corporations started applying for the tax break in May 2024.

Bryson reported a decline of $35.4 million in general fund revenues for March.

“Although we fell short of our monthly target, year-to-date revenues remain just below forecast,” Bryson said. “We will continue to closely monitor economic indicators and revenue trends to maintain fiscal stability.”

March is the eighth month of the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget.

The General Assembly passed the $59.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 earlier this week, which does not include any tax breaks.

Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about possible federal budget cuts that could affect Tennessee. Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, said when the budget process began in February that the state was already seeing a freeze in some programs.

House and Senate Democrats sent a letter to Bryson this week asking for more details on federal budget cuts.

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