Tennesseans Have Questions For Lee After State Of The State Address

Image Credit: Gov. Bill Lee / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Governor Bill Lee gave his “America At Its Best” State Of The State Address yesterday evening and Tennesseans weighed in on Lee’s speech in the comments section. While some commended Lee, many had questions.

Lee proposed his plan for Tennessee with a $52.6 billion budget that includes “strategic investments” in K-12 education, higher education, transportation infrastructure and more.

“Tennessee stands as a beacon to the rest of the country for how we can change lives when we control the size of government, prioritize efficiency, and make smart and responsible investments. I am proud to propose a budget and America at Its Best policies that reinforce freedom, innovation, exceptionalism and optimism,” said Gov. Lee.

Gov. Lee’s address included a plan for updating K-12 education funding. This new approach claims it will set aside dollars for each student, based on their individual needs, paying particular attention to students with disabilities, rural students, low income-students, and students with other priority needs. Gov. Lee’s FY23 budget proposes more than $1 billion in new, recurring education spending for public schools across Tennessee.

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While Lee’s “State of the State” address focused on touting his new budget plans, many Tennessee residents have raised concerns about the issues affecting our State and its people that he chose not to address.

Karen Roe asked, “I want to know why he is hiding and will not fight for our healthcare workers or our children that are still trapped in masks? When is he going to stand up to the companies like Ford and Carhartt that are breaking state law when it comes to vaccine mandates? Is he going to support the bill to transport illegals out of TN?”

Gloria Knight asked, “How about where are the illegals Biden flew into Tennessee? What ya doing about that?”

Sharon Blount said, “The DOE has no accountability and you continue to ignore the problems! #voteleeout2022 Funding our schools??? Sheesh! Revamp the entire DOE! Fire Penny Schwinn!”

Connie Holliman Dyer said, “Every governor promises teachers and support staff raises.”

Clara Houston Moore said, “Put Tennessee working people on your list. It is hard to keep up with food and gas prices with no raises. Lee needs voted out. We need someone who cares about all people.”

David Wassenaar said, “This guy is not describing the state of Tennessee. He is describing a socialist dictator’s view of heaven. Oh sure, it all sounds good.”

Jackie Kincaid said, “Governor Lee needs to put all legal [Tennesseans] first over all illegal immigrants.”

Sherri Garrett said, “We have confirmed that Knox County is the only county in the country under a judge’s masking order where the governmental body did not want masking.”

Michael Cozzi said, “He’s allowing Brandon to dump illegals at our airports.”

Lizzie Allen said, “Nashville roads are a mess!”

Valerie Hendrix said, “Until this Governor and this group takes an actual active [role] in the foster care system, don’t you dare talk about it. You have NO CLUE what actually happens. The system is absolutely pathetic… You’re all talk when it comes to foster care and the system. You only care about the photo ops April will bring you. You want change in the foster care system??? Then TALK TO ACTUAL FOSTER CARE FAMILIES!!!!”

Greg Matthews said, “Last gas tax was supposed to take care of roads, what [happened] to that money?”

Erica Astrid Roen said, “As commander in chief to the TN national guard, how about you stop the vax mandate! They are your state’s forces, not Biden’s.”

Karen Roe asked, “If you are cutting ties with China, [then] why is Ford here?”

Phyliss Ahlman, “What about the very questionable content of the curriculum being taught to our children in TN schools? Williamson County in #Tennessee in 2020 adopted a new curriculum, “Wit and Wisdom,” which incorporates the quasi-Marxist #CriticalRaceTheory, in grades K-5 at the beginning of the #Lockdowns caused by #COVID19.”

Lee did, however, state that he has plans to propose legislation enabling parents to know the contents of school library books and curriculum, and help them make sure books are “age -appropriate.” 

Notable points from Gov. Lee’s FY22-23 agenda include:

K-12 Education

• Committing to crafting an updated K-12 education funding formula

• $750M recurring increase for new K-12 education funding formula

• Since new formula will not commence until FY24, these funds will be utilized in FY23 for: CTE improvements in all high schools and middle schools($500M), moving all 14 public schools out of flood plains ($200M) and GIVE and SPARC grants ($50M)

• Proposing new legislation to make computer science and coding available to every high school student in Tennessee.

• $2.5M to expand the Future Workforce Initiative

• Formalizing a partnership with Hillsdale College to expand their approach to civics education and K-12 education in Tennessee

• $124.7M to provide a well-deserved increase into the teacher salary pool

• $25.5M in recurring funding to continue successful summer learning camps

• $16M recurring and $16M nonrecurring to the Charter Schools Facility Fund to increase the number of high-quality Charter Schools

Higher Education

• $90M to fully-fund the outcomes-based formula, enabling a zero percent tuition increase for public universities

• $200M for TCAT infrastructure investments to help double the skilled workforce by 2026

• $72M to complete the Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, a partnership with the University of Tennessee to invest in data science and technology, advanced materials, and outcomes-based applications

• $6M to establish the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee

• $50M to a Carnegie R1 research fund at the University of Memphis, matched by private donors, to sustain the University’s R1 designation

• $250M in infrastructure improvements at Tennessee State University to mitigate life-safety issues and help improve academic and student campus buildings

• $170M to invest in a statewide Enterprise Resource System for the University of Tennessee and the Locally Governed Institutions, permitting more streamlined access to information aimed at better serving students in 21st century educational settings

• $75.2M to increase the 4-year HOPE Award to $5,100 per student, per year, and the 2-year HOPE Award to $3,200 per student, per year

Safe and Secure Tennessee

• Adding 100 Highway Patrol Troopers, 20 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agents, and 25 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Forensic Science Personnel

• Directing the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a plan so every house of worship in Tennessee can receive high-quality safety training

• $355.6M in a Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Training Academy

• $28.4M to fully fund the Correctional Officer salary changes

• $66M for the TN Law Enforcement Hiring, Training, and Recruitment program

• $179M to complete full construction of Tennessee Advanced Communications Network coverage, ensuring full mobile connectivity across all Tennessee for emergency communications and law enforcement

• $150 million to create the Violent Crime Intervention Grant Fund

Rural Tennessee

• $82M to reimburse public hospitals for uncompensated care, primarily in rural communities

• $26M for Rural Opportunity Grants, helping to get communities ready for corporate investment

• $55M to increase access to services across each of the Medicaid Pathways to Independence programs

Infrastructure Modernization

• $619M to accelerate projects listed in the IMPROVE Act and invest in transportation projects to ensure economic opportunity

• $3.5M to support the Transportation Equity Fund

• $4M to enhance litter cleanup on Tennessee highways

Growing Tennessee

• $103M for the FastTrack program, ensuring the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has the tools to recruit and retain top companies to call Tennessee home

• Formalizing a long-term strategy to develop the Clinch River Nuclear Site

Asset Management

• $2.541B for higher education and general government capital improvements over the next several years

• $214.8M for capital maintenance, ensuring deferred maintenance is addressed within current capital assets

A more complete version of Lee’s budget overview can be found HERE.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.