Governor Lee Delivers 6th State of the State

Published: Feb. 6, 2024

TFBF President Eric Mayberry statement on Governor Bill Lee’s State of the State Address:

“We are thankful Governor Bill Lee is proposing the Farmland Conservation Fund to support Tennessee farmers through a voluntary conservation program aimed to slow the dramatic loss of farm and forest land. We are incredibly proud the governor continues to show his strong support for rural Tennessee and our state’s farmers.”

On Monday, February 5th, Governor Lee addressed Tennesseans during his 6th State of the State address. Covering conservation and infrastructure investments to tax and education policy, Governor Lee’s proposed budget totals $52.6 billion. Here are some highlights:

Conservation for a Brighter Future
“Off the major highways are the drivers of Tennessee’s economy – Tennessee farmers. Our agriculture industry employs more than 360,000 Tennesseans and generates $89 billion annually, making agriculture the number one contributor to our state’s economy. Yet, today, we are ranked the third-most threatened state for farmland loss in the country.

So, this year, we’re proposing a Farmland Conservation Fund – a plan to partner with Tennessee farmers who voluntarily place a conservation easement on their land – just as 28 other states do today. This will give farm families the ability to preserve and protect their farmland for future generations, securing Tennessee’s rich rural heritage as a pathway to opportunity.”

Governor Lee has proposed a one-time investment of $25 million (subject to future annual appropriations) to establish the Farmland Conservation Fund. SB2099/HB1890 will soon begin working it’s way though the Senate and House Committees, which establishes the program. This is a Farm Bureau priority issue for 2024.

Other conservation efforts include the addition of eight new Tennessee State Parks and a “blueway trail development” to improve access to the state’s waterways and lakes.

Advancing Rural Healthcare
We know we have challenges with access to care and workforce shortages. That’s why I formed the Rural Healthcare Task Force in 2021 to explore solutions to address the issue head-on. These solutions are becoming a reality. We will be expanding apprenticeships, providing greater access to specialty care and telehealth, better pathways from high school to healthcare careers, and much more.

So, this year, building off the recommendations from the task force, we will propose the single largest investment in rural healthcare in state history – nearly $200 million over the next five years.”

In addition to rural health investments, Governor Lee also announced his plans to invest $100 million in behavioral health and substance abuse over the next five years.

Better Government
This year, working with the General Assembly, we will bring forward a plan to repeal or streamline nearly 40% of all existing rules across the executive branch. That’s 4,000 rules eliminated or streamlined.”

Streamlined Permitting
When demand is high and the projects get bigger, it’s very easy to fall behind. Time is money. Building delays drive up the cost of homes and businesses for all Tennesseans. Every day added to the schedule adds to the price of the house, and this matters for hardworking families. 

That’s why, this year, we are proposing statewide permitting reform to accelerate building times, lower costs and safely streamline construction in Tennessee.”

Governor Lee hopes this proposal will make it easier and more cost-effective to build homes, businesses, childcare facilities, among other infrastructure needed to accommodate the growth our state has experienced.

Education Freedom
We’ve increased funding for public education by more than $1.8 billion dollars since I became Governor – by far the most in our state’s history.

With that increased investment, we also modernized the way that we fund public schools for the first time in 30 years. 

Last year, we gave teachers the largest annual pay raise in state history, and we’re not done. We’ll make another significant investment in the TISA formula this year, and we’re working on a plan to help public schools retain the best and brightest teachers in their individual districts.”

This proposal corresponds with Governor Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarships, which would expand school choice programs statewide.

To view the transcript of Governor Lee’s remarks, as well as a one page overview, see attached.

Rewatch the State of the State Here

Review Governor Lee’s Proposed Budget