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Gov. Lee delivers 2023 State of State Address

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee gave his annual State of the State Address last night in the State Capital.    The Governor presented his $55

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee gave his annual State of the State Address last night in the State Capital. 

 

The Governor presented his $55.6 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which is a decrease in overall spending compared to last year. 

 

In fact, the state’s budget decreased by $600 million as money from federal pandemic recovery efforts come to a halt. However, Tennessee’s sales tax revenue grew by 11% last year, allowing it to increase direct state spending by $3.1 billion compared to last year. 

 

Lee’s budget proposal contains his administration’s priorities for the fiscal year starting July 1. Lawmakers will review the document and suggest changes. The administration will then release a budget amendment, typically in March, with any changes and lawmakers will then vote on a final budget toward the end of the legislative session. Tennessee’s Constitution requires that a balanced budget be passed before the legislature can adjourn. 

 

Here are some of the top highlights in the budget presented last night: 

 

Lee has made transportation a significant priority in his second term. 

 

The budget proposal contains $3 billion for road improvements across the state. The Governor also said he wants to create what he calls “choice lanes” to generate funds for roads in metropolitan areas of the state. These would be similar to express lanes that cost a fee to use, but would not be true “toll” roads that require you to pay. 

 

Children’s Services could get a $193.5 million budget increase

 

$370 million for 4 new state parks and renovations to existing state parks and state lands. 

 

$100 million for crisis pregnancy centers

 

$1.1 billion for the new education funding formula. 

 

Lee also stated that he hopes to increase starting teacher pay in the state to around $50,000 on average.   The education portion of the budget includes $125 million for teacher raises. 

 

$4.5 million to fund TBI forensic positions and 100 new State Troopers. 

 

$288.3M for a one-time three-month sales tax holiday on food from August 1 to October 31, 2023. 

 

In addition to presenting the budget, Governor Lee talked about Tennessee’s progress, future, and leadership role in the country. Here are a few of his thoughts on how Tennessee is leading. 

 

State Senator, Adam Lowe also gave his thoughts on the address to WCLE in the form of a written statement. It reads in part, “Again, the TN legislature and Governor Lee are showing a commitment to Tennessee values.  We are the volunteers.  The spirit of volunteerism is engaging with nothing more than practical success in mind.  From teachers’ pay to roads to school security, to family values, our state is committed to plans to achieve progress.  We create a map to success and fund it.  Governor Lee has proven to care about results over rhetoric and I am proud to represent the 1st Senate District and help with those goals.”