By State Senator Page Walley
Last week was highlighted by Governor Bill Lee delivering his fifth State of the State Address on Monday evening in a joint session of the General Assembly. In the speech titled “Tennessee: Leading the Nation,” the Governor presented his $55.6 billion budget proposal and legislative priorities for 2023.
Tennessee’s strong fiscal stewardship places the state in one of the strongest budgetary positions in history and allows for investments to ensure continued success. Gov. Lee’s future-looking proposal includes funding to modernize transportation, ensure economic and educational opportunity, preserve the state’s natural resources, protect children, strengthen families and more.
Transportation and infrastructure emerged as the top budget item of the night. Gov. Lee proposed a $3 billion transportation modernization fund to alleviate urban congestion and fund rural road projects across the state. I received more calls about roads than any other subject. I have been advocating for this investment and will be supporting it wholeheartedly.
Another big priority, which I have promoted, that Lee highlighted during the speech is protecting Tennessee children by investing $190 million in the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and improving adoption and foster care services.
In addition Lee is proposing $100 million for Crisis Pregnancy Provider Support Grants statewide, improving access to healthcare and providing information for expecting mothers. We pro-life lawmakers in the General Assembly have identified similar priorities and introduced a slate of legislation to solidify Tennessee’s commitment to protecting children not only before birth but throughout their childhood as well.
Other notable highlights from Gov. Lee’s Fiscal Year 23-24 agenda include:
• $150 million in annual tax relief for small businesses
• $288 million for a one-time three-month sales tax holiday on food
• $250 million into Tennessee’s record-high Rainy-Day Fund
• Ensuring more than $2.8 billion of recurring revenue is allocated to one-time expenditures, allowing the return of these resources for review and budgeting next fiscal year
• $1 billion for improving, expanding and building new Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT)
• $350 million in additional funding to local education agencies through Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA), including $125 million for teacher pay raises
• $351 million to improve and create new state parks, trails and greenways
• $80 million for environmental cleanup across the state
• $33 million to add 100 highway patrol troopers, support staff and 25 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Forensic Services staff
• $30 million addition to the TN Law Enforcement Hiring, Training and Recruitment Program (Year 2)
• $50 million expansion of the Violent Crime Intervention Fund
In other activity in our Senate, Republicans passed legislation, which I supported, last Thursday to protect children from being exposed to sexually explicit performances. Senate Bill 3 restricts overtly sexual adult entertainment from being performed on public or private property if kids could be around to see it. Another bill to protect children, Senate Bill 1, passed the Judiciary Committee this week. It seeks to prohibit minors from undergoing irreversible and harmful hormonal treatment or surgical procedures to change their gender identity. This bill will now advance to the Senate floor for a final vote.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you in the Senate. Please contact me at sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov or my office at 615-741-2368 if we can be of service to you in any way.
