As Tennessee’s legislative session is underway, the Tennessee Board of Regents top priority is to secure state appropriations to cover TCAT operating expenses.
TBR Communications Director Rick Locker said funding to cover operating expenses is usually the top priority each legislative session. He said state appropriations make up about 70 percent of TCATs’ operating budgets. Locker added that while costs continue to rise, increased appropriations would ultimately benefit TCAT students.
“So we can hold tuition and fees down for students,” Locker said. “The more state appropriations, the lower our tuition; if there has to be any tuition increase at all, the lower it is.”
Locker also said the state has committed billions of dollars to campus construction projects over the past four years. Locker said state funding for TCATs is expected to decrease this year.
“We are hearing that state revenues are down, and so this year’s budget may be a little more modest than usual,” Locker said. “Money is tight right now.”
Because of that, and previous funding, zero construction projects are planned for TCAT campuses in the Upper Cumberland. Locker said that TBR has found itself asking for more state appropriations to cover rising operating costs each year.
Locker said TCAT is also requesting funds to improve campus safety.
“The legislator and governor have been very good to us over the years in helping us expand safety and security measures, equipment, and personnel,” Locker said. “And this year we are asking for another funding proposal for that, including recruiting campus police officers for our TCATs.”