Gov. Lee delivers sixth State of the State Address

Yesterday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee delivered his sixth State of the State Address and presented budget and legislative priorities for the upcoming year to the General Assembly. 

 Governor Lee began the speech saying, “Tennessee is a remarkable place with a richness of passionate people of all kinds, an unrivaled culture and deep-rooted traditions. We are also a state that is focused on opportunity, security and freedom for all of her people. In 2024, and for the remainder of my time in office, I believe our job is to fortify that which has been built over the years, and to remember the work it took to get here.”

Governor Lee went on to say that the state’s legacy of responsible fiscal stewardship places Tennessee in a strong budgetary position and allows for investments. 

Lee said his proposed $53 billion budget includes strategic funding to ensure economic and educational opportunity, protect Tennessee voices, preserve our natural resources, strengthen families, and more.

Highlights from Gov. Lee’s address included:

• A $20 million investment in Tennessee’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing Tennessee reserves to more than $2 billion, the largest in state history.
• More than $261 million to invest in Student Achievement and including teacher pay raises.
• $30 million for summer learning programs to support students between school years
• $15 million to fund charter school facility improvements
• $141.5 million to establish Education Freedom Scholarships to that the Governor says will empower parents to pick the right school for their child
• $208 million over five years from TennCare shared savings to strengthen rural health systems. 
• A $26.7 million investment in services for Tennesseans with disabilities. 
• $17 million in funding for an additional 60 State Troopers and related support staff to improve public safety across the state
• Funding for a National Guard recruitment incentive package
• $63 million to create four new Tennessee State Parks