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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
During their budget report before the Governor, the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (SHS) discussed their need to hire additional troopers, increase pay, purchase updated software, and requested more than a half million dollars for expansions to their Chattanooga and Knoxville facilities.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Gov. Lee began a series of budget hearings to learn from state agencies what they think their needs will be in fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, 2026.
Each department was allotted 30 minutes to make their presentation which the Governor will use to prepare the fiscal proposal he will present to the General Assembly by February 1, 2026.
As their number one request, the SHS asked for statutory salary step raises for Tennessee Highway Patrol Troopers. They also wish to hire 139 positions across the state as the department expressed some difficulties with staying at full staff, particularly in service centers. Also requested were internet updates to keep up with administrative responsibilities like issuing drivers licenses and legal software to help process an “overwhelming number” of public records requests.
SHS also desires to expand the School Resource Officer Grant Program to ensure every school has at least one SRO as they say the program has been well-received.
Finally, a request for approximately $774,000 to expand facilities in Chattanooga and Knoxville was made as the department feels the current facility that supports Tennessee Highway Patrol is just not big enough.
“You’ve heard us talk about this a little bit in the past, but with highway patrol growing we need additional dispatch centers,” said Commissioner Jeff Long.
“We have two centers where we’re co-located in a TDOT traffic incident management facility, and it’s just too small,” remarked THP Colonel Matt Perry.
There are currently only four THP outpost centers across the state, and Long mentioned the department partners with city and county agencies for locations where troopers can have a place to go in and complete reports, but the state must pay rent on those locations.
Col. Perry said the department needs “some standalone facilities that are just THP dispatch centers that give us a little bit of room for growth.”
Thus far, the departments of Military, Correction, Financial Institutions, Health, Children’s Services, Human Services, Transportation, Finance and Administration, Human Resources, General Services, and Revenue have all made their presentations.
The state Department of Education was on the schedule for Tuesday, but that hearing was cancelled because troopers were reportedly needed to investigate a suspicious piece of mail sent to the governor’s office. It has been rescheduled for Thursday at 2:15 p.m., along with the nine other departments set for that day.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
