A panel of judges for the Davidson County Chancery Court heard arguments in two consolidated cases challenging the constitutionality of Tennessee’s private school voucher law, which the state began implementing in August.

A three-judge chancery court panel denied Shelby and Davidson county parents’ and community members’ request to block implementation of the state’s voucher program while their litigation continues.

Following Governor Bill Lee’s announcement that the state immediately will begin implementing its controversial private school voucher program for the school year starting in just a few weeks, public school parents and community members in the targeted counties are going back to court.

The Supreme Court ruled that the voucher program does not violate the Home Rule Amendment of the Tennessee Constitution, which prohibits the state legislature from passing laws that apply only to certain counties.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee today sent a letter to Governor Bill Lee urging him to veto SB 2290/HB 2670, which would chill discussions about race, gender, and LGBTQ issues in Tennessee’s public colleges and universities.