Senator Walley Helps Secure Over $220 Million in Budget for Local and Regional Initiatives

State Senator Page Walley helped secure over $220 million in state funding to directly benefit Senate District 26. The appropriated funds are part of a $56.2 billion budget passed by the General Assembly during the 2023 Legislative Session. Other priorities in the budget included efforts to strengthen families, bolster school safety, improve education, create new opportunities for economic development, and modernize transportation.

“I am very pleased with the important initiatives receiving state funding this year that will help our district and region create jobs, spur economic development, improve our communities, and invest in public safety,” said Walley. “As always, I will continue to advocate for our district in Nashville.”

The state appropriations going to Senate District 26, include:

• $75 million for road projects as part of the State Aid Program which received $300 million from the Transportation Modernization Act passed this year
• $15.5 million to TCAT Crump in Hardin County for a new building
• $62.9 million for expansion to Western Mental Health Institute Facility in Bolivar
• $18.5 million to South Central Correctional Facility for improvements and operations
• $1.56 million to Wilder Youth Development Center, which includes pay increases for staff
• $7.5 million for fire and water treatment services for the Megasite
• $9.5 million for the new TCAT at the Megasite
• $28.7 million to the Water Education and Training (WET) Center in Hardeman County to help with statewide training for floods and building structures
• $1.29 million to TWRA Herb Parsons Lake in Fayette County for a new boat ramp and parking
• $20,000 to the Hope Botanical Garden in Lawrence County for infrastructure development

Budget

Notably, the budget also provides $407 million in tax cuts, the largest in Tennessee’s history.  These cuts aim to lower the tax burden on businesses, boost Tennessee’s economic competitiveness, promote entrepreneurship and small businesses. It provides targeted relief to families with a three-month-long tax break on groceries from August 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023.

The slate of budget and legislative priorities included significant investments in school safety with $223 million to provide a school resource officer for every public school and a Homeland Security agent for every county. These funds will also provide safety grants for private schools.

Lawmakers this session made key investments in transportation and infrastructure by providing $3.3 billion to alleviate urban traffic congestion and improve rural roads to support economic growth and development. 

It also makes a $250 million deposit in the state’s Rainy-Day Fund, which serves as the state’s savings account to help withstand economic downturns, bringing the fund to a historic balance of more than $2 billion.

Walley remains committed to keeping taxes low. Tennessee is the second-lowest taxed state in the nation and collects zero income tax. Tennessee holds the highest bond rating issued by all three of the nation’s credit rating agencies, which reflects extreme confidence in the Volunteer State’s preparedness in meeting financial commitments in tough economic times.

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