The Tennessee House of Representatives paused committees this week to focus on the state’s budget, working with departments and agencies to understand priorities and how proposals will benefit all Tennesseans.
House sets course for responsible state spending
Lawmakers analyze funding requests from state agencies, discuss critical initiatives
The Tennessee House of Representatives paused committees this week to focus on the state’s budget, working with departments and agencies to understand priorities and how proposals will benefit all Tennesseans.
Twenty-two agencies appeared before the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, led by Chairman Gary Hicks, R-Rogersville, to update lawmakers on spending, program outcomes and future funding needs. The hearings are part of continued Republican efforts to ensure public funds are being spent wisely by promoting transparency, accountability and oversight.
Earlier this month, Gov. Bill Lee presented his $57.9 billion budget proposal to members of the General Assembly, including $339 million to strengthen public schools and $425 million for transportation projects. This week’s hearings will help Hicks and other Republican leaders review these proposals and make budget recommendations to guarantee all state expenditures reflect the priorities of Tennessee families.
Lawmakers will discuss budget items over the following weeks to cut any potential waste while forging Tennessee’s continued leadership in effective governance and proactive fiscal stewardship.
Continued education investments could boost student success
Leaders of the Tennessee Department of Education (DOE) on Tuesday appeared before the Finance Committee to highlight recent student successes and to pitch additional opportunities to build on this progress.
Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds outlined several key improvements to Tennessee’s educational landscape in recent years, including significant increases in per-pupil funding and starting and average teacher pay between 2020 and 2026. During that period, recurring state education funding increased by $2.3 billion, or 44%. At the same time, scores in English language arts and math for grades 3-8 also rose by 5.2% and 1.4%, respectively.
“These are the dollars targeting and ensuring that students have the opportunities and resources they need to be academically successful,” Reynolds said. “Tennessee students are steadily and consistently meeting high expectations.”
Reynolds shared that more than 98% of all funding appropriated by the General Assembly goes directly to districts, families and education partners in communities across Tennessee.
The DOE’s budget request for fiscal year 2027 would benefit three main categories, including maintaining the legislature’s continued priorities, supporting student access and infrastructure, and ensuring the department can efficiently operate as the state grows.
Budget requests include:
- $170 million for the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) funding formula
- $112 million to expand Education Freedom Scholarships to meet student demand
- $5 million for summer learning camps and transportation
- $2.6 million for paid parental leave
- $484,500 for the school turnaround program to set all students on a path to success
- $2.8 million for information technology operational funding
- $210,000 for AI training
House sets course for responsible state spending
Lawmakers analyze funding requests from state agencies, discuss critical initiatives
The Tennessee House of Representatives paused committees this week to focus on the state’s budget, working with departments and agencies to understand priorities and how proposals will benefit all Tennesseans.
Twenty-two agencies appeared before the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, led by Chairman Gary Hicks, R-Rogersville, to update lawmakers on spending, program outcomes and future funding needs. The hearings are part of continued Republican efforts to ensure public funds are being spent wisely by promoting transparency, accountability and oversight.
Earlier this month, Gov. Bill Lee presented his $57.9 billion budget proposal to members of the General Assembly, including $339 million to strengthen public schools and $425 million for transportation projects. This week’s hearings will help Hicks and other Republican leaders review these proposals and make budget recommendations to guarantee all state expenditures reflect the priorities of Tennessee families.
Lawmakers will discuss budget items over the following weeks to cut any potential waste while forging Tennessee’s continued leadership in effective governance and proactive fiscal stewardship.
Continued education investments could boost student success
Leaders of the Tennessee Department of Education (DOE) on Tuesday appeared before the Finance Committee to highlight recent student successes and to pitch additional opportunities to build on this progress.
Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds outlined several key improvements to Tennessee’s educational landscape in recent years, including significant increases in per-pupil funding and starting and average teacher pay between 2020 and 2026. During that period, recurring state education funding increased by $2.3 billion, or 44%. At the same time, scores in English language arts and math for grades 3-8 also rose by 5.2% and 1.4%, respectively.
“These are the dollars targeting and ensuring that students have the opportunities and resources they need to be academically successful,” Reynolds said. “Tennessee students are steadily and consistently meeting high expectations.”
Reynolds shared that more than 98% of all funding appropriated by the General Assembly goes directly to districts, families and education partners in communities across Tennessee.
The DOE’s budget request for fiscal year 2027 would benefit three main categories, including maintaining the legislature’s continued priorities, supporting student access and infrastructure, and ensuring the department can efficiently operate as the state grows.
Budget requests include:
- $170 million for the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) funding formula
- $112 million to expand Education Freedom Scholarships to meet student demand
- $5 million for summer learning camps and transportation
- $2.6 million for paid parental leave
- $484,500 for the school turnaround program to set all students on a path to success
- $2.8 million for information technology operational funding
- $210,000 for AI training