Governor Lee Outlines Vision for Tennessee’s Future, Walley Seeks Road Improvements
By State Senator Page Walley
Last week Governor Bill Lee delivered his seventh State of the State address on a Monday evening in a joint session of our General Assembly, where he laid out his 2025 budget priorities. Lee’s proposed $59.5 billion budget includes strategic investments to secure a prosperous future for Tennessee. It prioritizes economic and educational opportunities, infrastructure, protecting communities and preserving Tennessee’s natural resources.
The next day, our Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee was presented with a more detailed overview of Lee’s 2025 budget proposal by Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson.
Continued Fiscal Responsibility
Governor Lee commended our General Assembly for our role in fostering a strong fiscal legacy. He praised the leadership throughout the state for their commitment to sound economic policies. These policies have positioned Tennessee for long term growth and stability. The Governor emphasized how continued partnership with the General Assembly is key to sound fiscal management.
We remain committed to the state’s economic future through fiscal responsibility and promoting economic development.
Lee’s proposal includes an additional:
- $35.6 million investment into the Rainy Day Fund, bringing Tennessee’s reserves to nearly $2.2 billion, the largest in state history
- $7 million to expand the Tennessee Youth Employment Program to operate year-round, double its participation, and reach even more underserved communities
- $45.8 million for Rural Development Grant Fund to enhance Tennessee’s rural and distressed communities through site development, community asset improvements, strategic planning and downtown revitalization
- $25 million for FastTrack grants to recruit new business to Tennessee and support workforce development
- $5 million to create TN Accelerates, a partnership between Tennessee Economic and Community Development and the Department of Labor and Workforce to create customized workforce training programs tailored to the specific needs of incoming and existing businesses
- $10 million for the Rural Grant Opportunity Fund to match funding for at-risk and distressed counties seeking state and federal grants
- $10 million for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds to match federal funds assisting Tennessee startups in securing competitive research and development grants
Senator Walley pushes for state road improvements
Perhaps the most positive move for our district is a proposal, which I have championed, to invest heavily in improving our roads. I receive more calls about our deteriorating roads than all other topics combined. The budget proposes an additional $1 billion for expediting existing road projects and funding new projects.
I met last week with Transportation Commissioner Butch Eley and with our Senate Finance Chairman to push for prioritizing repairing and resurfacing roads and completing projects already on the books before considering new projects.
There were a multitude of other investment proposals put forth by the governor in education, higher education, health care, safety, agriculture, and energy that I will address in the coming weeks in this column.
Please be sure to tune in to our website www.capitol.tn.gov to watch floor sessions live and to see the bills that are being considered. Also, please contact my office at (615) 741-2368 for any questions or input you might have.
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