Gov. Bill Lee’s cost estimates for his fundamental state immigration enforcement plan have dropped dramatically over the course of several hours this week.

On Monday, the plan’s financial memo brought costs to more than $20 million. By Tuesday, the price tag had dropped to just over $5 million.

The cuts came from reducing the amount of grants proposed by local sheriffs and police departments to implement the so-called 287(g) program.

“Tennessee keeps the phone in mind”: Lee advances immigration agenda in special session

A Lee spokesperson said on Tuesday that the cuts were made in line with the goals of the governor and Republican leaders.

“The financial notes have been adjusted to reflect the intentions of Lee Lee and the legislative leaders’ proposals.

“We will continue to work with our local jurisdictions with Tennessee to continue to monitor future needs in order to implement President Trump’s federal immigration policy.”

The governor’s plan calls for unprecedented national involvement in immigration enforcement (long federal responsibility) and coordination between states and federal authorities to detain and detain undocumented immigrants.

The governor’s plan includes the establishment of a four-person “intensive immigration enforcement unit” to administer grants to law enforcement and to communicate with the Trump administration. The office price tag – about $500,000 – was not changed in the downward revision of the estimated costs of the invoice.

The governor’s bill has been accepted primarily by Tennessee’s GOP leadership, and will be swiftly sailing through the Legislative Commission on Tuesday, and will be heard again on Wednesday. Efforts to remove provisions in the bill that would criminalize voting in favor of the sanctuary policy for immigration proposed by Sen. Todd Gardenhier, a Republican, have been swiftly defeated.