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FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | VOLUME 37 | NUMBER 5
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Metro Council begins budget debate
Residents request funding for safe neighborhoods, housing, transit JULIANNE AKERS
Gov. Bill Lee gives the 2025 State of the State address
PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS
Lee points to nuclear energy, housing agenda in State of the State
Governor alludes to ‘innovation’ and governing like a ‘business’ NICOLLE S. PRAINO Gov. Bill Lee delivered his annual State of the State address Monday night, leading with a push for “innovation” to a joint assembly of the Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives. The governor briefly touched on last month’s swift special session victories, from his divisive voucher legislation to an immigration crackdown and disaster relief funding for parts of East Tennessee affected by Hurricane Helene. Among the most notable lines of the
night was Lee’s push for a plan for housing in the state. Recognizing continued population growth as a “point of pride,” he also characterized it as “a call to action” and proposed a $60 million “self-sustaining” Starter Home Revolving Loan Fund, which will provide 0 percent interest construction loans for new single-family homes. He also announced funding for affordable housing through the Rural and Workforce Housing Tax Credit, passed in the previous legislative session.
“Whether you’re born in Tennessee or choose to move to Tennessee, we want you to stay in Tennessee,” Lee said. “Our state needs a housing plan that makes this key part of the American Dream possible.” While noting the state’s growth, Lee said he still believes conservation efforts are key to retaining Tennessee’s charm. “How do we balance record growth with a plan to protect our natural resources?” Lee said. “You start by rejecting conventional wisdom that says >> PAGE 2
Budget talks for fiscal year 2026 are underway, and Nashville residents came out in droves to the Nashville Metropolitan Courthouse Tuesday night to make their funding requests heard before council. With the pre-budget public comment period stretching for more than an hour, some of the most common requests were to allocate $10 million to the Varsity Spending Plan which aims to create safer neighborhoods for Nashville’s youth through the implementation of community center programs and the Office of Youth Safety, established in 2024. The plan received $1 million in funding in the past year’s budget cycle. One of the dozens who spoke in favor of the plan was Trey French, a local therapist and member of Black Nashville Assembly. “I work with teens and adults on a regular basis, and I know firsthand how the impact of violence has impacted their mental health and their overall wellbeing,” said French. “I think it’s far past time for us to invest in proactive measures that address the issues that lead to violence before the violence occurs.” Other repeated requests by the public included cost of living increases for metro employees – who received a four percent increase last year – along with funding for housing and public transit. A number of other attendees approached the podium to advocate for increased arts funding, skate parks, spay and neuter clinics and funding for public schools in light of the recent school voucher legislation passed by the state. After passing a $3.27 billion budget last year, officials with Metro officials have cautioned departments of potential constraints on this year’s budget, >> PAGE 3
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