Will Bill Lee and the GOP kill free school lunch . . . again?
I’m guessing the answer is yes.
Rep. John Ray Clemmons has been trying to pass legislation that would make school meals free for all kids since 2018.
Standing in his way: Republicans.
Gov. Bill Lee wants to spend $150 million to start a universal school voucher scheme that could cost more than $700 million a year at full implementation.
He gave $500 million to the Tennessee Titans for a new (smaller) stadium.
He handed out $1.6 billion in corporate tax breaks.
And yet he has not (yet) taken a bold stand in favor of free school meals for all kids.
That, though, has not deterred Rep. Clemmons and legislative Democrats.
Rather than fund school lunches or boost teacher pay or invest in Medicaid expansion, or end the grocery tax, lawmakers have found a dizzying array of ways to reduce revenue by lowering or eliminating taxes paid by the wealthy or corporations.
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