Tennessee 28th District Update

 

January 19, 2023



Preview of the 2023 Legislative Session of the 113th General Assembly

Upon completion of organizational tasks, the General Assembly will get to work on issues facing Tennessee.

Budget

Passing a balanced budget is the most important Constitutional duty of the Tennessee General Assembly and its only required task. The state is in great financial condition despite challenges including inflation, which is impacting not only Tennessee, but the entire country and world. For fiscal year 2022-2023, the state’s Funding Board is projecting a growth rate of 7.2%-7.7% while estimates drop to between 1.25% and 2.25% for fiscal year 2023-2024. Governor Lee and lawmakers will build this year’s budget utilizing these estimates. Tennessee has a proud tradition of being a fiscally conservative state that is well managed with the lowest possible tax burden to residents. The AAA-ranked Volunteer State is the least indebted state in the nation per capita and is the number one state for fiscal stability. Tennessee also is one of only five states without road debt and ranks in the top 3 of states for best-funded pension plans. Expect the 2023/2024 budget to reflect these conservative values.

Transportation

Tennessee’s transportation system will be a major issue addressed in the 113th General Assembly. As Tennessee continues to grow, its transportation infrastructure needs are also growing. Governor Lee has announced plans to work with the General Assembly to develop a long-term plan to invest in Tennessee’s transportation network in both rural and urban areas to provide more opportunities and a higher quality of life for Tennesseans.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has highlighted a clear need for the state to take major action to meet the demands of a growing list of transportation projects. TDOT has identified a $34 billion need for infrastructure projects across the state. Currently, Tennessee’s investment in transportation falls well short of this need and spends $1.2 billion annually to maintain current infrastructure, with about $500 million allocated for new construction projects.

TDOT has highlighted three main challenges facing Tennessee’s transportation system: congestion, delivery, and workforce. Proposals to help solve these issues include:

Building “Choice Lanes” through public private partnerships that offer more options to drivers to avoid traffic congestion

Increasing the utilization of alternative delivery models to improve the delivery of projects 30-50% faster than the traditional model.

Improving pay

for TDOT workers

Raising the state registration fee on electric vehicles from $100 to $300 per year to help offset future revenue losses as electric vehicle adoption increases

The Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee and the Transportation and Safety Committee will look at the various needs of TDOT and weigh options of how a long-term, strategic plan can ensure Tennessee is able to meet growing infrastructure needs while also maintaining conservative fiscal management of taxpayer dollars.

Department of

Children’s Services

Another top issue of the 2023 legislative agenda will be improving services, facilities, and record-keeping technology at the Department of Children’s Services (DCS), which is facing considerable challenges, including staffing shortages and housing facility needs. An audit by the Tennessee Comptroller found that “the safety, permanency, and well-being of Tennessee’s most vulnerable children is in jeopardy” by the department’s failure to address ongoing needs. The three main findings of the audit were issues with staffing, child placement, and repeat historical audit findings. DCS has requested a $156 million budget increase for the 2023/2024 fiscal year to increase salaries for DCS case managers; update the Tennessee Family and Child Tracking System (TFACTS); and improve foster care, residential services, prevention services, and adoption services.

Protecting Children

Two bills have been filed by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) aimed at protecting children’s developing bodies and minds. The Protecting Children from Gender Mutilation Act prohibits medical interference that alters a child’s hormonal balance as well as procedures that remove their organs so that the minor can identify as a gender different from their biological sex. The legislation would create a private right of action allowing a minor injured due to a violation of the law to sue for damages. It also would allow courts to impose an additional $25,000 penalty for each violation.

The other bill, Senate Bill 3, seeks to ban adult cabaret performances, which include drag shows of a sexual nature, from being performed on public property or on private property if children could be around to see it. Under the bill, a private establishment such as a bar or restaurant hosting a sexually suggestive drag show must require patrons to show ID before entering to ensure they are 18 years of age or older.

Contact Senator Hensley at

425 5th Avenue North, Suite 746

Nashville TN 37243

615-741-3100

Toll Free 1-800-449-8366

ext. 13100

Fax 615-253-0231

855 Summertown Highway

Hohenwald TN 38462

Phone 931-796-2018

Cell Phone 931-212-8823

E-mail:

[email protected]

 

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