Senator Jackson highlights historic tax cuts and improving school safety as priorities in 2023 Budget
NASHVILLE – State Senator Ed Jackson (R-Jackson) today announced $82.65 million in state funding for technical and community colleges in Senate District 25. The appropriated funds are part of a $56.2 billion budget passed by the General Assembly in April. Other priorities in the budget included efforts to strengthen families, bolster school safety, improve education, create new opportunities for economic development and modernize transportation.
“I am very pleased to announce that our district is receiving $82 million for renovations and expansions to our TCATs and community colleges to better serve our students and region,” said Jackson. “TCATs are instrumental in training our strong workforce and driving economic development in our communities. I appreciate Governor Lee and his commitment to strengthening technical education in our state.
The state appropriations going to Senate District 25, include:
$29.75 million to TCAT Lexington for a replacement campus
$7.8 million to TCAT Jackson for new improvements
$34.6 million to Jackson State Community College for new improvements
$10.5 million to TCAT Newbern for new improvements
Some of Sen. Jackson’s other legislative accomplishments include providing honor guard burials for Tennessee veterans and increasing the penalty for stalking a senior citizen.
Notably, the budget also provides $407 million in tax cuts, the largest in Tennessee’s history. These cuts aim to lower the tax burden on businesses, boost Tennessee’s economic competitiveness, promote entrepreneurship and small businesses. It provides targeted relief to families with a three-month-long tax break on groceries from Aug. 1-Oct. 31.
The slate of budget and legislative priorities included significant investments in school safety with $223 million to provide a school resource officer for every public school and a Homeland Security agent for every county. These funds will also provide safety grants for private schools.
Lawmakers this session made key investments in transportation and infrastructure by providing $3.3 billion to alleviate urban traffic congestion and improve rural roads to support economic growth and development.
It also makes a $250 million deposit in the state’s Rainy-Day Fund, which serves as the state’s savings account to help withstand economic downturns, bringing the fund to a historic balance of more than $2 billion.
Tennessee Republicans remain committed to keeping taxes low. Tennessee is the second-lowest taxed state in the nation and collects zero income tax. Tennessee holds the highest bond rating issued by all three of the nation’s credit rating agencies, which reflects extreme confidence in the Volunteer State’s preparedness in meeting financial commitments in tough economic times.
