Senate Passes Budget

The state senate passed Tennessee’s 26-billion dollar budget last night with very little discussion.

With nearly 400-million dollars in extra appropriations to the base amount, the budget is one of the richest in years, due in large part to better than expected growth in tax collections.

State Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz says the extra money allowed the state to address many needs.

“I think this budget addresses the priorities of Tennesseans to improve education, to provide some modest tax relief. All of these things, and to raise, pay raises for our state employees and teachers in higher education. These are things the governor wanted to do and the legislature has made improvements.”

The house will be taking up the budget today. Friction is expected over film industry incentives, the size of some legislators’ amendments, and a 30-million dollar amendment added this week to pay down the losses of the 6-level-one hospital trauma centers around the state.