Bill Lee in 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
$100M grant program to partner with crisis pregnancy clinics
Last year, Tennessee's budget funded ultrasound machines at crisis pregnancy clinics across the state. I'm proposing a $100 million grant program to partner with nonprofits that serve mothers, fathers, and families during a crisis pregnancy.
With that, our Office of Faith-Based Initiatives has a unique ability to engage nonprofits and community organizations. It's time to equip them with the resources they need to play a bigger role, as we endeavor to better serve children and families.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
On Budget & Economy:
Public-private partnerships to modernize transportation
Right now, there's a $26 billion backlog of projects across the state. Simply put, we are way behind, and we have to change the way we fund and build our roads and bridges. That's why I'm introducing the Transportation Modernization Act--a
plan to engage public-private partnerships to build additional choice lanes on urban highways, to ensure electric vehicle owners pay their share in maintaining our roads, and to provide a delivery model that builds rural and urban projects faster.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
On Crime:
At least one Homeland Security Agent in each of our counties
Since 2019, Tennessee has done a lot of work to strengthen school safety. Every single person has a role to play in school safety. That's why we have a School Safety Toolkit for every parent, and we have the SafeTN App, where any Tennessean can report
suspicious activity. This year, we're doubling down with new legislation to enhance physical security in classrooms. We're also proposing new funding to place at least one Homeland Security Agent in each of our 95 counties.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
On Education:
Our goal is to train 10,000 new skilled workers a year
For many, a certification from one of our Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology will open the right doors. I propose that we complete Tennessee's TCAT Master Plan. To do that, we'll expand and improve 16 existing TCATs, replace seven outdated
facilities, and build six brand new TCATs at strategic locations across our state. Our goal is to train 10,000 new skilled workers a year. We're proposing $1 billion in this budget--the largest investment in our technical colleges in state history.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
On Education:
Strive for best public schools, provide choices for parents
In just the last six months, hundreds of families living in underserved zip codes have had an opportunity to pick the best school for their child through our Education Savings Account program. Our ESA program is changing lives, and
states across the country are following Tennessee's lead. I have always believed that we should strive to have the best public school system in the country and provide choices for parents.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
On Energy & Oil:
Tennessee should be the leader in nuclear energy for America
If we really want to contribute to the future of America's environment, we must contribute to the advancement of clean energy. I'm proposing $50 million in a Nuclear Fast Track fund to recruit companies to our state that will specifically
establish a nuclear development and manufacturing ecosystem built for the future of Tennessee. We cannot not pass up this opportunity. Tennessee can and should be the leader in nuclear energy for America.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
On Families & Children:
Extending post-partum Medicaid coverage is pro-life
We will further strengthen postpartum coverage, provide services to over 5,000 more mothers, close the coverage gap for parents, and reach an additional 10,000 children--in total, offering services to nearly 25,000 more women, children, and parents
in need. We are going to propose covering the cost of diapers during the first two years of a baby's life for mothers on TennCare. That's pro-life. That's pro-family.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
On Families & Children:
Paid parental-leave for state workers, no business mandate
One way we can support and strengthen families is by making it possible for parents to be there, worry-free, for every second of those first months of life. That's why I am proposing a commonsense paid parental-leave program for
state employees who are growing their family. This is not a mandate on businesses. I believe every business owner should make decisions that are in the best interest of their employees.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
On Principles & Values:
Elites don't always know best; everyday American people do
Last fall, I met a man in Crossville who had just moved his family all the way from New York. He said to me, "When I moved to Tennessee, I felt like I moved back to America." In many ways, our country is off track. But America's best days are not
behind her. If the rest of the country can learn one thing from leading states like Tennessee, it's that when you trust your people, you'll succeed. The most elite, most educated people don't always know best--the everyday American people know best.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
On Tax Reform:
Break from grocery tax, $150M tax relief to small business
This year, we're cutting taxes again. Last August, we gave Tennessee families a one-month break from grocery taxes, to provide relief amid nationwide inflation. We should do that again this year, but let's extend it to three consecutive months.
I'm also introducing the Tennessee Works Act to deliver more than $150 million in annual tax relief to small businesses and expand Tennessee's competitive edge for years to come.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023