Bill Lee in 2020 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
Seeing premature granddaughter strengthened my resolve
I've proposed legislation that would defend and protect the life of an unborn baby from the time their heartbeat can be detected. I want to share a personal story that has strengthened my resolve.
A few months ago, my son and his wife had identical twin baby girls, delivered months before they were due, at a time when most babies their size would still be in their mother's womb.
When I walked into the neonatal intensive care unit, I stared in wonder at a 1-lb-5-oz baby girl with tubes and cords and monitors, fighting for her life.
As I watched little Annie, I was reminded once again that every life is precious. Every life is precious, and we will support pro-life policy in this state because everything precious is worth protecting.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
Investment & incentives to support rural counties
I'm also recommending $20 million for ECD's Rural Opportunity Fund, which supports site development, main-street development, and critical infrastructure assistance. We expanded an incentive program in
Tennessee medical schools that will grow the pipeline of primary care doctors locating in rural communities. We're adding more than $4 million for payment increases to rural health clinics and expanding rural access to dental care.
We're adding $7 million to the Ag Enhancement program and an additional $2 million for UT Extension Agents in distressed rural counties.
The Department of Tourism has created an Office of Rural Tourism, and we've set aside nearly $2.4 million for their efforts to draw attention to beautiful parts of Tennessee that are off the beaten path.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
On Crime:
Increase penalties for firearm theft & reckless endangerment
First and foremost, we must be tough on crime. Last year, we cracked down on fentanyl traffickers, and this year
I propose increasing the criminal penalties associated with theft of a firearm and increasing the criminal penalties associated with reckless endangerment of a police officer or first responder.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
On Crime:
Improve supervision; encourage hiring of former prisoners
First, we want to expand our recovery courts so that veterans and those struggling with addiction or mental health challenges will have access to specialized supervision. Second, we want to improve our use of community supervision, including at the end
of a prison sentence. Third, we want to encourage those leaving prison to secure employment by revising the occupational licensing process and encouraging employers to hire the formerly incarcerated.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
On Education:
4% salary boost for teachers; make $40,000 minimum salary
I'm proposing the largest investment in K-12 teacher salaries in Tennessee history. My budget sets aside $117 million additional dollars for teachers, an amount equal to a 4% increase in the state's contribution to teacher salaries. We must also work
harder to make teaching a more attractive profession for young people. Over the next two years, we will recommend moving the minimum salary schedule for teachers from $36,000 to $40,000, so that no teacher is making less than $40,000 per year.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
On Education:
Focus on new initiatives in teacher training
Our Department of Education will be working with our schools of education, to ensure that our approach to training teachers is the best. The Tennessee Teacher and Leader Institute will solicit proposals to help launch a new initiative that will
build the best educator preparation program in the nation. We're investing $4 million to support professional development opportunities for school leaders and innovative career advancement opportunities for our best-performing teachers.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
On Health Care:
Create K-12 Mental Health Trust Fund for teachers & students
We're expanding the outreach capacity of our Department of Mental Health, growing our school-based behavioral health liaison program from 36 to all 95 counties. I'm proposing the creation of a K-12 Mental Health Trust Fund of $250 million
in one-time funds to support the growth and placement of mental health support services in our most-at-risk schools. It is our expectation that Tennessee will lead the nation in bringing mental health support to our teachers and to our students.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
On Health Care:
Extend postpartum coverage under TennCare to 12 months
This budget also proposes changes to our TennCare program that will benefit young families. We are launching a three-year pilot to extend postpartum coverage to 12 months for mothers covered by TennCare. We're also expanding preventive dental
services to mothers on TennCare. My proposal would provide a dental and oral health benefit to pregnant women who do not currently receive dental benefits during the time of pregnancy through 60 days post-delivery.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
On Tax Reform:
Halve professional privilege tax, it's arbitrary and unfair
It's only fair that when the state is fiscally healthy, some of that money be returned to the taxpayer. Tonight, I am announcing a proposal to cut the professional privilege tax in half and return $40 million to individuals and small business owners who
every year pay this arbitrary and unfair tax. Indeed, the state is seeing strong economic times, but many of our local governments are struggling financially, and we certainly don't want to see any local tax increases.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
On Welfare & Poverty:
Recruit business to locate in distressed, at-risk counties
I've instructed the Department of Economic and Community Development to raise the stakes when it comes to recruiting industry to rural areas.
I've directed ECD to restructure our incentive package to companies considering locating in our 15 distressed counties and 24 at-risk counties.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021