Supreme Court turns away voucher appeal

The Tennessee Supreme Court said Thursday it will not hear state officials’ appeal of Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin’s ruling that Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher plan is unconstitutional.

Lee’s education savings account proposal — one he made a key part of his platform since taking office early last year — would give about $7,000 in public education funds to qualifying students in Nashville and Shelby County schools to spend on private-school tuition and other costs. Leaders here and in Memphis challenged the plan, saying it unfairly singled out the communities, a stance Martin agreed with a month ago.