TICUA
Policy Update

The session started off with the adoption of rules, and Governor Lee announced a special session for the week of January 27th to focus on his voucher bill, disaster relief, and immigration. Although TICUA generally abstains from issues focused on K-12 education, the current voucher bill (HB0001/SB0001) filed in the House and Senate has a provision in Section 5 to redirect sports wagering funds from higher education scholarships to K-12 construction projects. TICUA will continue to monitor and seek compromise through amendment on this section as appropriate.

TICUA is in support of the THEC/TSAC budget improvement request for the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. The $12 million recurring improvement is designed to support financially needy students impacted by the federal changes to the FAFSA. More will be known about this expansion when Governor Lee presents his budget request during the State of the State address in early February.  

TICUA Annual Meeting

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for the upcoming 69th TICUA Annual Meeting to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25 and 26, 2025 in Nashville. This year’s agenda features conversations with many legislative and policy leaders of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly. Confirmed guests include Governor Lee, TN Commissioner of Finance and Administration Jim Bryson, Lt. Governor Randy McNally, House Education Chair Mark White, Higher Education Attorneys from Holland & Knight, and THEC Executive Director Dr. Steven Gentile.  We look forward to seeing member presidents in February!