Oldham Expects Budget Conversations To Be “A Little Tougher” This Year
A new semester opened on the Tech Campus Thursday and President Phil Oldham preparing his syllabus for the Tennessee Legislature. Governor Bill Lee expected to release his budget plan for the 24-25 fiscal year in February. Oldham said sales tax revenues have been running a bit below estimates so far this fiscal year. “I sort […]
Bailey To Push For Sales Tax Equalization As New Legislative Session Begins
State Senator Paul Bailey plans to advocate for the equalization of shared sales tax between local governments and the state as the new legislative session begins Tuesday. Bailey said the portion of sales tax allocated to cities has been frozen since the state raised its collection percentage to seven percent. He said the state sales […]
Williams Taking A Wait And See Approach To School Voucher Bill
State Representative Ryan Williams said he is taking a “wait and see” approach to Governor Bill Lee’s proposed private school voucher expansion. The Education Freedom Scholarship Act would provide up to 20,000 students $7,075 yearly in tax dollars to attend a private or home school. Williams said he is waiting to make a full assessment […]
Sherrell Expects Long Debate On Idea Of School Vouchers In Nashville
State Representative Paul Sherrell said he expects there will be healthy debate concerning public education funding over vouchers when the new legislative session begins next Tuesday. Sherrell said he understands Governor Bill Lee’s interest in helping people pay private school tuition. Sherrell said many of the people who have come to him to discuss the […]
Day Hikes At Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park Starts The New Year
Hikers can get their new year started with a pair of guided day hikes through Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park. Park Manager Stuart Carroll said he will lead a five-mile hike on New Year’s Eve, with a more strenuous hike on New Year’s Day. Ranger Allen Reynolds will lead the second hike nine miles up […]
Pickett Wants Its Own Homeland Security Agent To Boost School Safety
The Pickett County School System wants a Homeland Security Agent with Pickett County as the agent’s sole focus. Director of Schools Diane Elder said Governor Bill Lee’s 2021 Safety Initiative specified that each county would be appointed its own agent. Elder said, thus far, that has not been the case in Pickett County. “His role […]
Cumberland’s Foster Told Bill Lee Keep Counties In Mind With New Budget
Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster asked Governor Bill Lee to keep the county in mind as he moves toward finalizing his budget for the new fiscal year. Foster was the lone Upper Cumberland representative among the four county mayors who attended the meeting last week. Foster said budgets are tight right now at the county […]
Williams: Sales Tax Restoration Fight Continues In New Session
Upper Cumberland officials continue to push to have sales tax revenue taken away by the state in the early 2000s restored to local municipalities. Representative Ryan Williams said he feels good about the chances of having the funds restored, but Governor Bill Lee will have to champion the issue. A 2002 state budget crisis caused […]
Governor’s Budget Hearing Complete; Sexton Said Safety Big Priority For Him
The Governor’s budget hearings wrapped up last week, beginning the process for a new state budget according to House Speaker Cameron Sexton. Governor Bill Lee fielded ideas and concerns from Tennessee departments and agencies about financial priorities in their corners of the state. Sexton said the initial process is all about the Governor’s wants and […]
McNeilus Steel To Expand With New Warren County Facility
A steel manufacturing company will expand its operations into Warren County creating some 50 new jobs. The state announced Tuesday that McNeilus Steel will spend some $23 million to expand to Morrison. The new facility will open on East Maple Street. McNeilus Steel General Manager Zachary Ernst said that the company has been providing steel […]
