Governor Bill Haslam delivered the State of the State Address tonight–the first of his second term as Governor. The yearly address is an important part of the legislative process, formalizing the Governor’s policy priorities and setting the tone for the next few months of legislative debate and action. The Governor made clear that his focus … Continued
The House and Senate passed the state’s FY14-15 budget this week as legislators rapidly approach the end of session. According to an article by Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Tom Humphrey, House Finance Committee Chairman Charles Sargent (R-Franklin) said that this budget marks the “first time in institutional memory” that the General Assembly has approved a … Continued
Governor Bill Haslam released his budget amendment Tuesday morning, cutting $160 million from his FY14-15 budget proposal and an additional $150 million in the current fiscal year. The cuts, necessitated by an ongoing decline in state revenue collections, eliminate proposed new funding for higher education and pay raises for state employees. State employees were originally … Continued
