Gov. Bill Lee touts criminal justice reforms, education
Gov. Bill Lee pushed for a stronger educational system with increased accountability, an emphasis on civics education and “a system of justice that actually lives up to its name” in his first State of West Tennessee address, delivered March 7 in Memphis.
The first-term Republican governor delivered his address at the University of Memphis, following speeches in Nashville and Knoxville earlier this week.
Strengthening education, bolstering funds
Lee outlined plans to funnel millions more dollars into the state’s school safety fund, workforce development initiatives and a $25 million education savings account allocation. The account would fill gaps in public schools when students transfer to charter schools, reiterating plans Lee made public earlier this week in his State of the State address in Nashville.
Lee didn’t outline a specific plan for accountability for ensuring those funds are used as intended, but said the state Department of Education will develop accountability checks. Lee said he will introduce legislation that makes it easier to “open good charter schools and to close bad ones,” he said.
On top of education funding, Lee outlined a turn toward civics and “character education,” that would include “unapologetic American exceptionalism.”
After his speech, Lee characterized such curriculum as “remembering the reasons why America is a leader in the world, remembering why our government was created, why democracy is the best system in the world. It’s basically teaching our children fundamental civics around the values and principles that we cherish in this country.”
Lee also announced plans to reward schools that “excel at teaching civics education,” but said the measurement for that hasn’t been developed yet.
“We just gave the idea out this week, so we’ll develop a set of criteria for what it means ...“Lee said.
Criminal justice reform and inmate re-entry
Lee also outlined plans for criminal justice reforms, such as community supervision for low-risk offenders and a proposed expansion for educational and re-entry counseling in prisons.
“Another part of this successful reentry is stable employment,” Lee said. “For that reason, we’ve introduced a bill that eliminates expungement fees for those that are already eligible under the law, to alleviate the cost burden of getting back on their feet.”
Broadband, rainy day fund and fighting opioids
Lee also highlighted funneling $20 million toward expanding broadband access in the state, beefing up graduate medical education offerings and combating the scourge of opioid addiction, which is “acute” in West Tennessee, Lee said.