January 24, 2022
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Gov. Lee: Tennessee lawmakers 'made every effort to follow the law' when redrawing congressional districts - Yahoo News

Governor Bill Lee attends the Rotary Club of Nashville meeting at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, as a guest speaker, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.
Governor Bill Lee attends the Rotary Club of Nashville meeting at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, as a guest speaker, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee gave a peek into his 2022 priorities Monday and said he believes state lawmakers "made every effort to follow the law" when crafting a controversial plan to carve Davidson County into three congressional districts.

Since the legislative session began earlier this month, the top priority has been redistricting. The GOP-backed proposal would split Democratic Davidson County into three Republican-dominated districts.

The move could give the GOP an 8-1 edge in the state's congressional delegation following this year's midterm elections.

Lee, a Republican heading into reelection this year, told the Rotary Club of Nashville he will decide whether to sign the redistricting bills "when they get to my desk." But in response to an audience question, Lee said he believed lawmakers followed the law when redrawing the districts following the 2020 Census.

The Senate passed the new congressional map last week, and the House is scheduled to vote on it Monday night.

Governor Bill Lee attends the Rotary Club of Nashville meeting at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, as a guest speaker, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.
Governor Bill Lee attends the Rotary Club of Nashville meeting at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, as a guest speaker, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.

Education formula and infrastructure spending

In the weeks leading up to the new year, Lee's administration started discussions on a new funding formula for schools across the state.

Lee said the plan is coming together after the education department has spent several months receiving public input on what needs to change. Earlier this month, the state released a draft framework of a potential new funding formula.

The state also has a new website for the public to track learning loss, which Lee said is a "huge problem."

"What has happened in our schools as a result of the closure of schools for COVID is an enormous challenge," Lee said. "We are just figuring out how big of an issue it is."

Governor Bill Lee attends the Rotary Club of Nashville meeting at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, as a guest speaker, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.
Governor Bill Lee attends the Rotary Club of Nashville meeting at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, as a guest speaker, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.

The website was launched shortly before the governor's speech.

Infrastructure is also expected to be a top priority this year, as Tennessee is set to receive $3.9 billion from the American Rescue Plan and another $8 billion as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress last year.



source: https://news.yahoo.com/gov-lee-tennessee-lawmakers-made-203801147.html

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