A look at Tennessee Gov. Lee’s 2nd budget proposal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s top priorities in his latest spending plan would boost K-12 teach pay, extend postpartum health insurance for Tennessee’s low-income women, encourage employers to hire more former inmates and more.

Lee’s second annual address to the Republican-controlled House and Senate outlined a $40.8 billion financial blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year, a 3.7% increase over the current budget year and the first time Tennessee’s budget has climbed past $40 billion.

Lee’s proposal would slash $91.5 million in recurring funds, resulting in a cut of 191 positions, none of which are currently filled.

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The Governor’s Pitch: more than $600 million new dollars for public education.

“Make no mistake: we will do whatever it takes to make Tennessee the best state in America to be a student, and that means making Tennessee the best state in America to be a teacher. That means better pay, as we’ve said, but it also means better training and professional support, so that our teachers can perform at the top of their trade,” said Lee.

— The proposed budget includes the largest investment in K-12 teacher salaries in Tennessee history

— initiatives designed to ensure that Tennessee is recruiting, retaining and training the best teachers in America.

— advancing literacy across the state which includes additional teacher training and development.

Additional education initiatives include:

• Investing an additional $117 million in teacher salaries, an amount equal to a 4% increase in the state’s contribution
• Recommending moving the minimum teacher salary schedule from $36,000 to $40,000 over the next two years
• Creating the K-12 Mental Health Trust Fund through $250 million in one-time funds to support the growth and placement of mental health services for students through a systemwide, evidence-based, whole child approach
• Growing school-based behavioral health liaison program from 36 counties to all 95 counties
• Setting new standards for public elementary literacy training and instruction and providing improved literacy supports and interventions for K-2 students
• Launching the Governor’s Teaching Fellowship to support the education of over 1,000 future teachers per year
• Supporting district-led “Grow Your Own” programs with new curriculum and grants
• Investing $4 million into professional development and career advancement opportunities for teachers and school leaders
• Applying for a new AP education teaching course
• Establishing the Tennessee Teacher and Leader Institute which will solicit proposals from across the country to help launch a new initiative to build the best educator preparation program in the nation