Walley Wrap: 2025 Legislative Session Begins
By State Senator Page Walley
Our 114th General Assembly has begun as state lawmakers gathered on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, to take the oath of office, elect officers and organize the business of the 2025-2026 legislative sessions. For the first order of business, newly elected and reelected senators, including myself, took the oath of office as families and friends crowded the Senate chamber and watched proudly. The next orders of business were adoption of the Senate rules, followed by the election of Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally to serve his fifth term as Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee and Speaker of the Senate.
The start of a new legislative session is always an exciting time. It’s a season full of new ideas for legislation fueled by the shared enthusiasm of lawmakers committed to improving state government and championing the needs of their districts.
Lieutenant Governor McNally assigned me to serve as Vice-Chairman of the State and Local Government Committee, as a member of the prestigious Finance Committee, and to continue as a member of the Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee which plays a major role in our district. I am very grateful for the confidence placed in me to continue my advocacy as a member of these vital committees.
The biggest news of the week came when Governor Bill Lee announced a special legislative session to begin on Monday, January 27, 2025, to address his ‘Education Freedom Act’ (private school voucher proposal), disaster relief for Hurricane Helene, and illegal immigration. The special session will give us the opportunity to focus on these three important issues and take thoughtful legislative action before the regular session begins.
‘Education Freedom Act’
Governor Lee and legislative leadership have reintroduced their voucher expansion proposal utilizing public tax dollars for private and parochial school tuition. The concern for many, including myself, is that this is an unproven strategy that places the funding of our public schools at risk. There will be more on this in the coming reports that I publish weekly.
Hurricane Helene + Disaster Relief
Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster that primarily impacted at-risk and distressed counties, with eligible damage-related costs estimated at $1.2 billion. Governor Lee is proposing immediate legislative and budgetary action to support ongoing recovery efforts and allow for proactive preparation for future emergencies. The comprehensive plan invests more than $450 million in direct disaster relief. Key components of the plan include:
● Disaster Relief Grants (DRG) Fund: $240 million to bolster Tennessee’s existing disaster relief fund, as well as reduce the local cost-share burden from 12.5 percent to 5 percent and fund the state match requirement to access federal funds and cover administrative costs.
● Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund: $110 million to establish a new fund that will help local governments manage loan interest for recovery costs by covering interest costs at five percent per year for three years on loans for recovery expenses.
● Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund: $100 million to create a new program inspired by the HEAL Program to provide flexible financial resources for future emergencies, including agricultural recovery, unemployment assistance, and business recovery efforts.
● $20 million for the rebuilding of Hampton High School in Carter County, which was destroyed in Hurricane Helene.
Public Safety + Immigration
Tennessee continues to lead the nation in fighting illegal immigration. During the special session lawmakers will consider legislation to ensure the state is ready on day one to assist President Trump in carrying out his immigration enforcement agenda. Legislative action is expected to underscore Tennessee’s commitment to the rule of law, preserve state sovereignty and assist the federal government in enforcing federal immigration law.
Preview of legislative issues for regular session
Following the conclusion of the special session, lawmakers will turn their attention to addressing hundreds of other bills throughout the regular session. Key priorities are expected to include crafting the state budget, advancing education initiatives, and tackling issues related to public safety and the judicial system, among many others.
Budget
Our Tennessee General Assembly’s most important responsibility during the regular session – and only constitutional duty – is passing a balanced budget. The AAA-rated Volunteer State ranks among the nation’s least indebted states and stands out as a leader in fiscal stability and low taxes. Lawmakers are committed to ensuring that Tennesseans keep more of their hard-earned money and have consistently cut taxes every year. Since 2011, the General Assembly has cut over $2 billion in taxes. In 2025, expect lawmakers to explore more ways to ease the tax burden on Tennessee taxpayers.
In the coming weeks, I will be discussing my legislative priorities including road maintenance infrastructure funding and moving more education decision making out of Nashville and down to our locally elected boards of education.
Please feel free to contact me at (615) 741-2368 or sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov. Thank you for the privilege of serving as our state senator.
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