You're So Right Episode 9: Unpacking Tennessee’s 2025 Legislative Wins with Senator Jack Johnson

Senator Jack Johnson and Lonnie Spivak.

You're So Right Episode 9: Unpacking Tennessee’s 2025 Legislative Wins with Senator Jack Johnson

Welcome back to You're So Right, the podcast diving deep into the heart of Davidson County and Tennessee politics! In Episode 9, recorded on May 16, 2025, I had the privilege of sitting down with Tennessee State Senate Majority Leader Senator Jack Johnson to break down the big issues from the recent legislative session. From school choice to immigration enforcement, this episode is packed with insights on what’s driving our state forward. Here’s a recap of our conversation and why it matters to every Tennessean.

Education Freedom Act: Empowering Parents

One of the standout achievements of the 2025 session is the Education Freedom Act, Tennessee’s bold step into universal school choice. Senator Johnson, a longtime advocate for parental choice, explained how this program offers 20,000 scholarships (around $7,100 each) for families to choose the best educational path for their kids—public, private, or otherwise. Registration for these scholarships kicked off on May 15, 2025, and it’s a game-changer for families in struggling school districts. Despite some pushback, Johnson emphasized that supporting school choice doesn’t mean abandoning public education. As a product of public schools himself, he’s committed to both improving public systems and giving parents options.

Immigration Enforcement: Partnering with the Feds

Tennessee’s new Office of Immigration Enforcement, created within the Department of Safety, is a direct response to the need for stronger cooperation with federal agencies like ICE. Senator Johnson shared how this office, led by a Chief Immigration Enforcement Officer, is helping local law enforcement work with the Trump administration to remove violent criminal illegal immigrants from our communities. With Davidson County’s jail system housing hundreds of such individuals at any given time, this move aims to ease the burden on local governments and ensure safer streets. We also discussed Nashville’s resistance to these efforts, with the Metro Council and Mayor’s Office facing potential consequences for impeding federal law.

Party Politics: Primaries, Caucuses, and GOP Unity

The episode took a deep dive into party politics, starting with the push for party registration. Senator Johnson passionately argued for requiring voters to declare their party affiliation before participating in primaries, a move to protect the integrity of the nominating process. While the bill stalled in committee this year, it’s still alive for the next session, and Johnson remains optimistic about its passage.

We also touched on a new law preventing counties from switching from primaries to caucuses for partisan elections. With over 70 counties holding partisan elections for roles like sheriff and county mayor, this legislation ensures broader voter participation. Johnson highlighted how primaries allow thousands of Republicans to have a say, unlike caucuses, which can exclude those unable to attend a single event due to work, military service, or family obligations.

Fiscal Strength and Local Governance

Tennessee’s fiscal responsibility is a point of pride for Senator Johnson. With a balanced budget, a record rainy day fund, and a triple-A credit rating from all major bond agencies, Tennessee is one of the best-managed states in the nation. We also discussed a proposed constitutional amendment to ban state-level property taxes, set to appear on the 2026 ballot, ensuring Tennessee remains a low-tax state.

On the local front, we explored the state’s authority over municipalities like Nashville, which has more debt than the entire state. The ongoing legal battle over reducing Nashville’s Metro Council from 40 to 20 members could set a precedent for how much control the state has over local governments. Johnson stressed that while local decisions like zoning and trash collection belong to counties, the state sets the framework to ensure fairness and accountability.

The Heart of Tennessee Politics

Senator Johnson’s passion for Tennessee shines through in this episode, from his work on conservative priorities like protecting the unborn and defending Second Amendment rights to his push for practical reforms. We also