SUMMARY: Tennessee may secure a $930 million loan to fund state and higher education construction projects, allowing cash to be allocated for road improvements amidst rising construction costs. Governor Bill Lee’s proposed $59.5 billion budget includes no tax cuts but earmarks funding for 100 new Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers and $1 billion for the Department of Transportation (TDOT), which faces a $38 billion project backlog. The debt would increase annual payments by $61.7 million but maintain the state’s AAA bond rating. Lawmakers will review and adjust the budget before final approval later this legislative session.

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The post Gov. Lee's proposed budget includes $1 billion loan for capital projects, $1 billion to TDOT appeared first on www.wkrn.com

SUMMARY: The Trump administration plans to significantly reduce National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, risking over 9,000 jobs in Tennessee that rely on approximately $700 million annually. The cuts will particularly affect funding for indirect costs vital for lab operations, impacting major universities like Vanderbilt and smaller towns. NIH supports diverse projects, including cancer care improvements at St. Jude and Alzheimer’s pain management research at the University of Tennessee. After a coalition of 22 states filed a lawsuit, a federal judge temporarily halted cuts, stressing the need for adequate resources to conduct medical research. Compliance with the ruling remains uncertain.

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The post Tennessee’s medical research is in limbo while the Trump administration considers illegal budget cuts appeared first on wpln.org

SUMMARY: The Tennessee Legislature has passed a universal education savings account program, the Education Freedom Scholarship Program (EFS), allowing parents to access state funding for educational choices. For success, a strong private school sector is essential. Current regulations burden private schools, discouraging entrepreneurs from opening new options. Recommendations include consolidating school types, removing testing requirements, extending school approval terms, and rescinding onerous transportation regulations. Additionally, safety guidelines, including annual armed intruder drills, should be reconsidered to reduce stress among students and parents. Streamlining regulations can enhance private school operations and support Tennessee’s overall educational landscape.

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The post Op-Ed: How to get the most Tennessee children access high-quality private education | Opinion appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com