Senator Walley Proposes Redirection of Vehicle, Tire Sales Tax to TDOT
By State Senator Page Walley | Walley Report
Knowing the importance of dealing with road conditions in our district, I was able to pass Senate Bill 144 to help alleviate a portion of the $30 billion backlog of transportation and infrastructure expenses currently facing Tennessee. Our Transportation Committee advanced the measure last week proposing to redirect sales tax revenues from motor vehicle and tire sales from the state’s General Fund to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Highway Fund.
Improving the quality of Tennessee’s roads is a top priority for my constituents and millions of other Tennesseans across the state. I get ten times more calls on roadway issues than any other issues combined. This proposal is one way we can provide sustainable funding sources to TDOT and begin to catch up on our $30 billion deficiency and get our roads back on track.
Governor Lee has also proposed new funding sources for TDOT to address the revenue shortfall. Lee’s proposal includes redirecting sales tax revenue of tire sales from the General Fund to TDOT, as well as a one-time investment of $1 billion.
The legislation now advances to the Senate Finance Committee, where it – along with Governor Lee’s proposal – will be analyzed to determine the best path forward for the state of Tennessee.
Save Rural Hospitals Act
Last week, our Commerce and Labor Committee passed Senate Bill 185, the Save Rural Hospitals Act – which I am cosponsoring. It will increase TennCare reimbursements to help the financial stability of our rural hospitals.
The legislation would set a minimum and maximum level for aggregate reimbursement rates for a set of services to TennCare enrollees at rural hospitals. This would be a change from the current corridor reimbursement rates set for individual services.
As you know, we were able to reopen the Haywood County Hospital two years ago and have plans to open new hospitals in Fayette and McNairy Counties, which had lost their hospitals some years ago.
A closed hospital is not just a healthcare crisis, it’s an economic crisis. Tennessee ranks second in rural hospital closures only second to Texas.
This legislation is aimed at preventing closures and increasing access to rural healthcare across the state. Senate Bill 185 moves to the Health and Welfare Committee.
Cooperative purchasing for local government and education facilities
maintenance
To decrease costs for local government and education facilities maintenance, our Senate State and Local Government Committee – which I co-chair – unanimously passed my Senate Bill 509 last week. This bill allows local governments and school boards to use cooperative purchasing agreements to buy materials, labor, and services for maintaining or repairing facilities and grounds owned by local education or government agencies. This will have a significant impact on lowering the costs for the 47 cities, 8 counties, and 8 school boards in our district to maintain and repair their facilities and grounds.
The bill now goes to the Senate Floor for a vote.
Permitting “blaze pink” as a hunting safety color
On a lighter, but important note, Senate Bill 206 moved through our Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee last week to allow hunters to wear daylight fluorescent pink, “blaze pink”, as a substitute for the traditional fluorescent orange when hunting big game. The change would align Tennessee’s hunter safety standard with 12 other states. This bill is just one of many TWRA efforts to highlight female hunters.
Some studies suggest that blaze pink is even more visible than orange, contrasting with green and fall foliage colors. But beyond safety, this bill brings well deserved recognition to the many female hunters across the state. According to the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Tennessee has the highest population of sportswomen in the region.
I will continue to keep you updated on legislative news from our General Assembly. You can also watch legislative proceedings live at www.capitol.tn.gov. Please reach out to me with any comments, questions or concerns at (615) 741-2386 or sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov.
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