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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

TN governor considers special session on school vouchers and Helene relief

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wpln.org – Marianna Bacallao – 2025-01-08 16:31:00

SUMMARY: Governor Bill Lee is considering calling a special session for Tennessee’s legislature to expand school vouchers and provide disaster relief for areas affected by Hurricane Helene. He wants to implement the Education Freedom Scholarship Act promptly if it’s approved. The voucher program, which currently operates in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga, allows parents to use public funds for private school tuition. Democratic lawmakers criticized Lee for delaying the special session and linking disaster relief with the voucher program. Lee defended the program, citing high parent satisfaction rates and stating funding for the ESA would come from lottery and sports betting revenue.

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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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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

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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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

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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