State legislators passed the approximately $52 billion budget in both the House and the Senate on Thursday.
The two chambers adopted Gov. Bill Lee's amended budget first, and then adopted their own amendment before discussing the changes in full.
The House took up the budget first, with Democrats proposing amendments that would reallocate the funds for Lee's franchise tax reduction and education scholarships (school vouchers) in several other ways. None of the amendments were considered timely filed. As such, sponsors had less time than they otherwise would have to present the amendments. However, the outcome would likely not have been much different — all amendments were voted down from consideration along party lines. After Democrats further expressed their discontent with the budget, the House voted to pass the legislation 78-18.
Not long after the budget legislation passed, some citizens shouting from the gallery were ordered to be removed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville). According to reports, one woman was taken away by law enforcement and driven off the Capitol grounds in a patrol car.
The Senate took up the House bill, and Democratic senators proposed many similar amendments as their counterparts in the lower chamber. Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) said it is not unusual for the budget to be passed while other legislation that could impact funds is still being worked out. He added that if the budget passes with more funds that end up not supported by legislation, those funds will roll over into future years to be appropriated.
Franchise tax and school voucher legislation still hang in the balance
Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) pointed out that the funds in the budget do not cover the projected growth of either piece of legislation for the education scholarship fund. If none of that legislation passes, he said leaving that money on the table seems irresponsible since legislators have stressed constrained spending because of a decrease in the overall budget.
Johnson highlighted that the budget takes on no new debt for the state. Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixon), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said the legislature has proposed spending 36 percent less in its amendment than fiscal year 2024. The Senate passed the budget 26-4.
The legislative amendment makes several funding changes that were not in the governor’s amendment:
Universities:
- authorizes $10 million for the University of Tennessee for a new chemistry building
- appropriates $29.7 million of nonrecurring funds to the University of Tennessee for renovations to add a gross anatomy laboratory to the General Education Building at the Health Science Center
- appropriates $2.1 million to Middle Tennessee State University for scholarships for the joint partnership with Meharry Medical College for the Medical School Early Acceptance Program
Health Care:
- earmarks $9.7 million and also moves $3.7 million in funds for SB2791/HB2940 TennCare Working Individuals with Disabilities Act
- funds $2.7 million in recurring dollars and moves $1.4 million to implement SB2159/HB2321 for increasing the personal allowance for those receiving nursing home care
- redirects $3 million in funding for maternal health services from the governor’s budget amendment to crisis pregnancy care centers
Courts:
- allocates $4.8 million in recurring funds for SB624/HB430, which relates to blended sentencing for serious youthful offenders
- appropriates $1.5 million for SB2155/HB2323 relating to enhanced sentences for repeat misdemeanors
- allocates $2.4 million for SB2062/HB1881, which enhances the penalty for assault against a law enforcement officer
- appropriates $8.6 million of recurring funds and $2 million in nonrecurring funds to the Administrative Office of the Courts for rate increases for court-appointed attorney representing indigent criminal and juvenile delinquent defendants
- allocates $4.5 million for a grant to Youth Villages to be used for gun violence prevention and intervention programs
Arts:
- funds $50 million of a planned $250 million grant to TPAC for a new facility on Nashville's East Bank
- funds a $12 million grant for the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to construct a new museum building
Agriculture:
- does not include $25 million for the governor’s proposed farmland conservation fund
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
