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General Assembly adjourns; approves ’09 budget with “no new taxes”GOP Week In Review: General Assembly adjourns “Sine Die”
Budget passes both chambers at eleventh hour The 2008-2009 budget was passed late Wednesday night, and is lauded by Republicans as a fiscally responsible one in which reasonable cuts in growth were made. The total budget, which includes federal dollars, for 2008-2009 is $27.5 billion, $245 million less than originally proposed in January. The 2007-2008 total budget was $27.75 billion, $250 million more than this year’s. The state portion of this year’s budget was $13.6 billion, a $200 million decrease from 2007-2008. April 2008 was the worst month on record for revenue growth in Tennessee, and the third quarter of this fiscal year was the second worst quarter on record. Projections show that the fourth quarter—of which the state is halfway through—could be even worse. State Employees The budget that was approved will eliminate 2,011 jobs—roughly 5 percent—in the executive branch through voluntary buy-outs, which is anticipated to have a price tag of approximately $50 million. The one- time money will be taken from departmental reserve accounts, and will save the state about $64 million annually. The Governor has added From the beginning, the Administration was optimistic that those employees who will be targeted for the buy-outs will voluntarily take them. It was reported by the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System last week that many state workers were interested in the buy-out plan, although they wanted to hear more details before committing to anything Education This year’s budget protects education, and continues to fund the Basic Education Program, the plan by which the state disperses dollars to local school systems at last year’s same percentage of funding. Although there is no increase in the state’s percentage of BEP funds as was anticipated for this year, there is a required increase of $59 million to cover inflationary costs for the school systems. For higher education, however, the state made a cut of roughly 4.1 percent, or about $56 million. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is expected to work with the two systems, the Tennessee Board of Regents and University of Tennessee system, to distribute the cuts. Republicans are hopeful that the schools can make cuts wherever possible instead of simply passing the reductions along via tuition increases. Lottery compromise reached in final hours One of the most contentious and complicated issues of the year, the sweeping lottery scholarship legislation, passed both chambers this week. After a decision could not be reached by each chamber independently, both the House and Senate appointed a conference committee to examine the options. The conference committee, made up of both Senators and Representatives, presented a “conference report” to the legislative bodies to either be adopted or rejected. Ultimately, the House passed the measure with a vote of 92-2. The final proposal is slated to give 12,107 students the opportunity to participate in the HOPE scholarship program. Many Republican lawmakers expressed concern, however, over the $27.5 million price tag. Members argued that the proposal stretched the lottery scholarship fund too thin, with the state spending more than the fund could ultimately sustain. The legislation will allow a student to maintain the HOPE scholarship by keeping a grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 for 60 hours of classes. At the conclusion of 60 hours, in order to continue to receive the HOPE scholarship, the student must achieve a 3.0 GPA for the next semester or 12 hours and for the remainder of the students’ college career. The GPA is no longer based on a cumulative score, butonly based on semester averages. The new legislation also provides a one-time regain provision. The legislation also provides for the following:
House unanimously approves “Long-Term Care Community Choices Act” This year, the General Assembly passed a comprehensive long term care package that aims to use the dollars allotted to the state’s system more effectively by allowing seniors to “age in place.” Some of the key provisions in the legislation include greater access to home-based care, simplifying and streamlining the process, and adding more diversity to the system. Republicans have been championing the cause for several years and were pleased to see the measure The “Long Term Care Community Choices Act of 2008” is designed to promote independence, choice, dignity, and quality of life for the elderly and/or people with physical disabilities who need long-term care support and services from the state’s TennCare program. The overhaul will include consumer-directed options that offer more choices regarding the kinds of long-term care services people need, where they are provided, and who will deliver them, with appropriate mechanisms to ensure accountability for taxpayer funds. The changes to the system will be phased in as new applicants are admitted over the next couple of years. In Brief…
About Tennessee Republicans
The House GOP Review is written by Kara Watkins the press secetary for the House Republican caucus. Kara was an administrative assistant for Marsha Blackburn for Congress, and she also has worked for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Web Site: http://
SectionsNews, PoliticsTopicsEducation, Government, Hope scholarships, Politics, Republican Party, Tennessee House of Representatives, Tennessee State Budget |
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