Latest news with #ToddWarner
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Some counties left out as private schools start showing interest in Tennessee's voucher program
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Governor Bill Lee's Education Freedom Scholarship program, which created taxpayer-funded school vouchers in the state, was described as universal school choice, but so far, private schools in just 36% of Tennessee counties have expressed interest. According to a new webpage on the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship program, 192 private schools have submitted an interest form so far, which is more than half of all eligible schools. However, those private schools are located in just 35 out of Tennessee's 95 counties. Twenty of the 35 counties have just one or two private schools listed. Social media safety could be taught in Tennessee schools The Education Freedom Scholarship Act passed during a special legislative session this Jan. Democrats and some Republicans opposed to the measure were concerned students from rural counties wouldn't benefit from the program due to the lack of private schools in those areas. The measure's fiscal note estimated 12 of the state's counties would receive the majority of the 20,000 vouchers. 'I have one little private school that started up this year. I think it has eight students. It's a K-3 school and it has eight students, and I think next year they're hoping to get to about 30 students,' Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill), who voted against the measure, said. 'It's not good for my district. That's the only private school we have.' However, pro-voucher Republicans argued counties that don't have a private school likely border one that does, so those students could still take advantage of the vouchers. While private schools still have time to express their interest in the program, numerous counties in Tennessee don't have a private school at all. In addition, Dr. Kevin Cline, headmaster of an East Tennessee private school currently on the voucher program interest list, previously told News 2 that the measure still increases options for many parents, even if it doesn't for all. 'Everything the state does does not impact every resident,' Cline said. 'The Titans stadium is doing great, right? They're building it; it's huge. It's big time. My tax dollars have helped support that, but I'm four hours away, so that's not really going to help me much. I'm not going to get to utilize the stadium. That's part of pouring into a system as a state.' Families can begin to apply for the Education Freedom Scholarships this spring on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the state's website. For more information, follow this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Bill to rename Nashville airport after Donald Trump stalls over $10.3M cost projection
Bill sponsor Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, says he has questions about how the cost estimates were made and will bring the bill back. State fiscal analysts have estimated the name change could cost BNA more than $10 million. Legislation seeking to rename Nashville International Airport after President Donald Trump stalled Monday afternoon after state fiscal analysts estimated the change could cost the airport $10.3 million. But it's not dead yet. Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, took House Bill 217 off notice on Monday afternoon, typically a sign that the legislation won't move forward. But — with questions over how the cost estimates were made — Warner is pledging to try again. 'More than likely, I'll bring it back,' Warner told The Tennessean, adding that he plans to meet with fiscal analysts this week to seek an update to the fiscal note. House Bill 217 would require the Metro Nashville Airport Authority to surrender the existing BNA trademark, and erect appropriate signs and markers re-designating the facility as 'Trump International Airport' by January 2026. According to estimates provided to the state by the airport authority, renaming and rebranding the airport would cost $10,340,000 — with $3.59 million going toward new signage. More:How much would it cost to rename Nashville International Airport after Trump? BNA answers The airport has recently updated some signage at the 4,500-acre property, including a 40-foot-tall BNA monument, as part of existing renovation and expansion projects. Warner argued that the state gives the airport millions of dollars each year, while the city's contribution is comparatively small, so the state should have a say in what the airport is named. 'President Trump is the second president elected to two nonconcurrent terms, and his America First agenda also puts Tennessee first,' Warner told The Tennessean. 'I think it would be a great tribute to a great president.' Vivian Jones covers state politics and government for The Tennessean. Reach her atvjones@
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill to rename Nashville International Airport for President Trump dead
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — An effort to rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) for President Donald Trump is dead for the legislative session. The bill, brought by Chapel Hill Republican Rep. Todd Warner, was 'taken off notice,' according to the capitol website. It was previously set for discussion in the Naming & Designating Committee on Monday, Feb. 24. Warner told News 2 in a statement previously he felt having the airport named for the president was a 'wonderful way' to honor the man who became the second person in American history to win nonconsecutive terms as president. PREVIOUS: Lawmaker files bill to rename Nashville International Airport after President Donald Trump The practicality of the move was also an area of concern, considering previous litigation over the regulatory authority over the airport. In 2023, lawmakers passed a law replacing the mayor-appointed airport authority with a new board to be appointed by state leaders. The city sued the state over the law shortly after is passed, claiming it violated the Home Rule amendment of the state constitution because it only affected Nashville. A three-judge panel sided with the city and struck down the law, but the state is trying to appeal the ruling to regain control over the airport. According to the Metro Nashville Airport Authority, the associated costs for the potential rename are estimated to be $10.34 million, including infrastructure and signage, branding, trademarking and legal, and administrative or operations costs. Additionally, the letter stated the estimate did not include 'potential legal costs regarding legal obstacles from prior rights holders or objections from [the United States Patent and Trademark Office]; potential monetary payment to obtain consent agreement from living individual or prior rights holders; and state/federal costs related to signage/markers.' MORE: Bill to rename Nashville International Airport after President Trump could face turbulence amid lawsuit When bills are taken off notice in the general assembly, it means they are no longer being considered and will no longer move forward on Capitol Hill. Technically, bills that are taken off notice can be put back on, but that move is rare. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to rename Nashville airport after President Trump could face turbulence amid lawsuit
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — President Donald Trump's name could have a permanent place at Nashville's airport thanks to a bill filed in January, but if it passes, it could face additional roadblocks. Republican Rep. Todd Warner (R- Chapel Hill) filed the bill to rename the Nashville International Airport to Trump International Airport. The airport is currently known as BNA in honor of World War I veteran Col. Harry S. Berry, who helped found the airport in 1937. TN Democrats seek to protect federal benefits distribution with the 'STOP ELON' Act 'As only the second president in U.S. history to be elected to non-consecutive terms, renaming Tennessee's largest airport to Trump International is wonderful way to honor Donald Trump's legacy and the positive impact he's had on our nation,' Rep. Todd Warner told News 2 in a statement. Should the bill pass, the Nashville Airport Authority would be required to 'erect suitable signs or affix suitable markers designating the airport as the 'Trump International Airport' and to take other appropriate actions to recognize this designation in accordance with this section,' according to the proposed legislation. Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) pointed out there are similar efforts in Washington D.C. 'I think there are people in Congress looking to rename Dulles to Donald J. Trump Airport,' Sexton said. 'I don't think you can have two airports named for him. I don't think that works, so I think we need to talk to Congress to see if that's the route they're wanting to go, and then we'll figure it out later.' COVID vaccine skeptics could request blood from unvaccinated donors under Tennessee bill There could be more turbulence in renaming BNA if the bill passes due to a lawsuit over a 2023 state law that replaced the mayor-appointed airport authority board with a new board, which was mainly appointed by the state. 'While that's in litigation, I think there's still a question as to who can rename the airport,' House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) said. Nashville sued Tennessee over the law shortly after it passed, claiming it violated Home Rule because the legislation only impacted Nashville. A three-judge panel sided with the city and struck down the law. However, the state is trying to appeal the ruling to regain control over the airport. 'We've been very clear that the airport is a regional airport; there is state interest in that airport and significant investment on the part of every Tennessean, and we've gone down that road to try to have more state investment and activity with the airport board and everything else, but that's still wrapped up in litigation, so while that's in litigation it's pretty tough for us to make the decision,' Lamberth explained. When News 2 asked a spokesperson for BNA about the cost of renaming the airport, they made us file a public records request for the information, which BNA will have seven business days to respond to. BNA provided News 2 with the following statement: 'The Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) is a globally recognized brand with a reputation that extends across the world. Our airport's brand and continued success has earned us a place among the fastest-growing airports, attracting significant increases in both domestic and international air service. We have a bright future as the Nashville International Airport, and we remained focused on providing exceptional travel experiences for our community and our passengers.' Nashville International Airport The bill's sponsor in the Senate is Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald). If the bill passes, it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
How much would it cost to rename Nashville International Airport after Trump? BNA answers
Hear this story AI-assisted summary A Tennessee legislator proposed renaming the Nashville International Airport to Trump International Airport. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority estimates the total cost of rebranding the airport at $10.34 million. The bill proposing the name change does not specify if the state would provide funding for the renaming. Days before President Donald Trump's inauguration last month, a Tennessee legislator filed a bill proposing to rename the Nashville International Airport to Trump International Airport. While some residents weren't sure whether to take the suggestion seriously, airport leadership did. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority, BNA's governing board, assessed exactly what would go into rebranding the airport and estimated a total cost of $10.34 million. The MNAA provided the assessment and details about the potential rebranding to the state. The analysis found that costs would include new signage across the entire 4,500-acre property, a replacement for the 40-foot-tall BNA monument, updated BNA Shop merchandise, shuttle bus decals, uniforms, business cards and the initial price tag to ammend hundreds of legal contracts, leases and other government documents. What it doesn't include is the potential costs of legal obstacles from prior rights holders, objections from the United States Patent and Trademark Office or state and federal costs related to signage and markers. The total $10.34 million cost breaks down to: Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. $3.59 million for infrastructure and signage $2.22 million for branding $2.28 for trademark and legal costs $2.25 million for administration and operational costs The fee may seem like an exorbitant amount of money, but it's just a fraction of what the airport is spending on regular upgrades in its ongoing expansion. The BNA board recently approved a $1.3 billion redevelopment project called New Horizon II, bringing total construction costs since 2017 to $4.49 billion. Forthcoming road improvements will cost $300 million. The bill proposing the name change does not clarify whether the state would contribute funding to the renaming. It seeks to direct the Airport Authority board "to erect suitable signs or affix suitable markers designating the airport as the 'Trump International Airport.'" The legislation also specifies that the airport would need to amend any and all trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. However, should the bill pass, it would allow the airport an unspecified "transition period" to continue operations under the current name, as long as it designates that it is "doing business as Trump International Airport." Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, is the sponsor of the legislation. After he introduced the bill in the Tennessee House of Representatives, Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, Rep. Michele Reneau, R-Signal Mountain, and Rep. Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, co-signed it. Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, sponsored the Senate bill. Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@ To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.
