News from the South - Tennessee News Feed
Tennessee Democrats blast Lee special session | Tennessee
SUMMARY: House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons criticized an upcoming special session in Tennessee focusing on school choice and disaster relief, calling it an “affront to Tennessee families.” Governor Bill Lee’s three-day session includes a $450 million disaster relief package and educational reforms. Clemmons accused Lee of using the disaster relief as leverage for advancing a school voucher program, stating he could have acted sooner. Democrats likened the session to “hostage taking,” arguing that it unfairly forces a choice between aiding disaster victims and undermining public education. Despite opposition, a poll shows 67% of Tennesseans support school choice.
The post Tennessee Democrats blast Lee special session | Tennessee appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com
News from the South - Tennessee News Feed
Gov. Lee's proposed budget includes $1 billion loan for capital projects, $1 billion to TDOT
SUMMARY: Tennessee may secure a $930 million loan to fund state and higher education construction projects, allowing cash to be allocated for road improvements amidst rising construction costs. Governor Bill Lee’s proposed $59.5 billion budget includes no tax cuts but earmarks funding for 100 new Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers and $1 billion for the Department of Transportation (TDOT), which faces a $38 billion project backlog. The debt would increase annual payments by $61.7 million but maintain the state’s AAA bond rating. Lawmakers will review and adjust the budget before final approval later this legislative session.
The post Gov. Lee's proposed budget includes $1 billion loan for capital projects, $1 billion to TDOT appeared first on www.wkrn.com
News from the South - Tennessee News Feed
Committee discusses road spending in first look at Lee’s budget | Tennessee
SUMMARY: During the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee’s review of Gov. Bill Lee’s $59.5 billion budget, members requested details on road projects funded by an additional $1 billion and $80 million redirected from tire sales. Commissioner Jim Bryson emphasized that much of the $30 billion earmarked for roads addresses maintenance of aging infrastructure. Concerns arose about transparency in the Department of Transportation’s budget, with Sen. Ken Yager noting the difficulty in tracking expenditures. Sen. Jeff Yarbro highlighted the ongoing struggles with highway funding, indicating that current measures may be inadequate for long-term solutions.
The post Committee discusses road spending in first look at Lee’s budget | Tennessee appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com
News from the South - Tennessee News Feed
Tennessee’s medical research is in limbo while the Trump administration considers illegal budget cuts
SUMMARY: The Trump administration plans to significantly reduce National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, risking over 9,000 jobs in Tennessee that rely on approximately $700 million annually. The cuts will particularly affect funding for indirect costs vital for lab operations, impacting major universities like Vanderbilt and smaller towns. NIH supports diverse projects, including cancer care improvements at St. Jude and Alzheimer’s pain management research at the University of Tennessee. After a coalition of 22 states filed a lawsuit, a federal judge temporarily halted cuts, stressing the need for adequate resources to conduct medical research. Compliance with the ruling remains uncertain.
The post Tennessee’s medical research is in limbo while the Trump administration considers illegal budget cuts appeared first on wpln.org
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