Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee gave his State of the State address Monday night, covering a wide range of topics — from investments in rural health care to the role of artificial intelligence in the music industry. Some issues, like school vouchers, got loud responses from spectators in the gallery.
The governor began by addressing the presence of his wife, First Lady Maria Lee. In 2023, Maria Lee had just finished chemotherapy and was waiting for a bone marrow transplant.
“So, last year, for the first time since I became governor, she was unable to attend the State of the State address in person,” said Lee, choking up. “That night, we didn’t know just how remarkable her healing journey would turn out to be.”
She is, as of last April, in remission.
The state’s finances
Lee opened by touting that Tennessee has been ranked as the fastest-growing economy in the nation. He thanked lawmakers for helping to balance the budget and cut taxes for Tennesseans. He also spoke about the fact that tax returns were lower than expected this year. He said, while that’s true, Tennessee’s revenue growth is still 40% higher than three years ago.
“This year, we will bolster our decades-long commitment to fiscal responsibility, starting with a $20 million investment in Tennessee’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing our state reserves to over $2 billion — the largest in state history,” he said.
After highlighting the financial status of the state, Lee got more into the policies that he’d like implemented by the legislature this year.
Artificial intelligence
Lee wants Tennessean’s music protected from users of AI technology that can impersonate and make music using the voice and likeness of artists.
“Together with members of the General Assembly, I’m proposing legislation to protect Tennessee’s rich musical heritage and ensure that no one can steal the voice of Tennessee artists,” Lee said.
Lee said he hopes the proposed legislation, fittingly called the ELVIS act, will serve as the blueprint for states across the country.
School choice
When promoting his new “Education Freedom Scholarships,” Lee prefaced by emphasizing how much he believes in — and has spent on — public education. That’s likely an attempt to insulate from critics who say his universal school voucher proposal will harm public schools.
But Lee said it’s not an either-or issue.
Blaise Gainey WPLN NewsMembers of the gallery hold up signs opposing school vouchers.
“We can give parents choice and support public schools at the same time,” Lee said. “You’ll hear me say that over and over again — these two ideas are not in conflict.”
At the mention of school vouchers, there was loud booing and a series of “No!” chants from the gallery.
“Some are concerned that more choices for families could mean fewer resources for public schools,” Lee continued, “but that is simply not true.”
“Yes it is!” A voice cried from the gallery.
The education portion of his address did not reveal any new details of the governor’s new voucher plan. WPLN got a sneak peek of what it could look like last week after an accidental filing. But that bill was taken down and has been replaced with a caption bill until official language is released.
Also pertaining to children, Lee wants to require social media companies to get parental consent when minors create an account, giving parents more clarity over their online activity.
Still, members of the gallery yelled out in opposition.
Eventually, the governor paused and added, “It is a good time to remind everybody … civility is a strength not a weakness.”
Blaise Gainey WPLN NewsRep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, stands in the back of the chamber, giving Gov. Bill Lee a thumbs down as he speaks about school vouchers.
Health care
Likely as a response to many hospitals closing in rural counties, Lee wants to invest $200 million over the next five years. (Tennessee ranks second in the nation for rural hospital closures.)
“We will be expanding apprenticeships, providing greater access to specialty care and telehealth, better pathways from high school to healthcare careers, and much more,” Lee said.
Lee also wants to give more than $100 million over the next five years to behavioral health and substance abuse support. Tennessee consistently ranks among the top 10 states for overdose deaths, and Davidson County has more overdose deaths than any county other than Baltimore.
“What about the guns?” Someone yelled from the gallery, and later, “We are dying. Our children are dying.”
“Let the governor speech without interruption please!” Another person in the crowd responded.
There’s also a sign that says a prevent Gun Violence. Lee has yet to mention anything about public safety or any new initiatives that touch on firearms.
— Blaise L Gainey (@BlaiseGainey) February 6, 2024
Blaise Gainey WPLN NewsA section of the gallery holds signs related to health care — and their disappoint with the state of Tennessee’s.
Ahead of the State of the State address, a group representing physicians and health care advocates issued a statement criticizing the state’s approach to health.
They chided Lee for his remarks on Tennessee leading the nation, saying that the state leads the nation in some of the worst categories: maternal mortality, rural hospital closures, poor health outcomes, mental health struggles and the severity of its abortion restrictions.
The group also reiterated its support for Medicaid expansion, a mostly federally funded health coverage program only 10 states — including Tennessee — have chosen not to adopt.
Environmental efforts
Lee announced a Farmland Conservation Fund, which would partner with Tennessee farmers who “voluntarily place a conservation easement on their land.”
“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,” Lee said.
In the gallery, meanwhile, someone called out, “Protect the wetlands!”
Lee transitioned to touting the state’s $50 million investment in the Nuclear Energy Fund — last year. But as WPLN has reported, internet service is actually Tennessee’s top environmental spending priority this year.
When the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation formally proposed a $55 million budget for fiscal year 2024, the agency shared its plans to spend nearly two-thirds of that amount, or about $35 million, on expanding “broadband infrastructure” in state parks.
More: Tennessee plans to spend 64% of its next environmental budget on internet service
Blaise Gainey WPLN NewsGov. Bill Lee begins his 2024 State of the State address.
The response
Democrats are now giving a rebuttal. @SenatorLamar points out that not all Republican lawmakers were standing up when @GovBillLee got a standing ovation in response to the school voucher part of his speech. pic.twitter.com/dWgL91yg8j
— Blaise L Gainey (@BlaiseGainey) February 6, 2024
Lee’s State of the State address painted a rosy picture of where Tennessee stands, saying others envy its economic position. But that’s not how Democrats see it. Rep. London Lamar, D-Memphis, says the state is not something to brag about.
“Our kids are growing up in communities with too much gun violence, but they are learning in schools with too little funding,” Lamar said. “Gov. Lee is going to tell you that Tennessee is leading the nation. Well, I’m here to tell you that Republicans are leading Tennessee to the top in in violent crime, personal bankruptcies and maternal deaths.”
Democrats note that the average salary for residents ranks 39th in the nation, whereas the state sees one of the highest rates of maternal deaths — in the bottom four of U.S. states.
WPLN’s Alexis Marshall, Catherine Sweeney and Caroline Eggers contributed reporting. This post has been updated with more details after the conclusion of the State of the State address.
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