Immigration reform and school choice highlight the work by the State Legislature this session, according to State Senator Paul Bailey.
“Well, I think the biggest takeaway from this session was the fact that we came to Nashville and we passed a lot of legislation dealing with immigration issues, passed legislation to try to help reform a lot of our state departments as far as the regulatory regulations that are bogging down people being able to get licensure and just to be able to do business in the state of Tennessee,” Bailey said.
Bailey said new immigration policies require anyone seeking licensure from state agencies to prove they are legally present in the United States. Bailey said these requirements primarily affect agencies housed within the Department of Commerce and Insurance to ensure applicants are fully qualified to do business.
“And, you know, there was legislation that I carried that basically ensured that anyone that or ensures anyone that is seeking a licensure from one of our licensing agencies, which most are housed within the Department of Commerce and Insurance, are legally present here in the United States,” Bailey said. “Thus, that makes sure that they are fully qualified to hold one of those license to be able to do business in the state of Tennessee.”
The legislature expanded the school scholarship program by 15,000 scholarships while also increasing public education funding by more than $400 million. Bailey said the allocation includes $339 million for the TISA program to establish a $50,000 starting salary for teachers and additional funds for facility maintenance.
“However, I don’t want people to lose sight that we also added in over $400 million in funding for our public education and that came from adding $339 million to the TISA program to make sure that every teacher in Tennessee gets a starting pay of $50,000 and as well as providing money for K through 12 facility maintenance money that’s going through,” Bailey said.
Bailey said the state budget is $2 billion less than the previous year due to the expiration of federal funding. Bailey said the state must be mindful of future spending because surplus funds available for the next administration are projected at $6 million, compared to the $300 million to $400 million available when Governor Bill Lee took office.
“So I think we’re going to have to be very mindful of our fiscal position and and I think that we’re going to have to make sure that we manage the state’s money effectively so that the programs that have been added over the last several years when when money has been very plentiful that that we don’t have to cut some of those programs,” Bailey said.
Tennessee is also investing in nuclear research and modular nuclear systems while adding three new state parks to the system. Bailey said the state is leading the nation in nuclear technology similar to that used on aircraft carriers to provide more energy for residents.
“And so the technology’s been there for years,” Bailey said. “And so but they can also provide a lot more energy for Tennesseans and I think that that is something that we need to be very proud of.”
Bailey said he also sponsored legislation to enhance penalties for individuals who intentionally disrupt worship services. Bailey said the law is intended to protect the freedom to assemble and ensure safety within houses of worship.
“So, you know, just that’s probably just a little thing but in the minds of a lot of people that’s that’s huge because they want to feel like whenever they go to a house of worship that they are able to go in there, have the freedom to worship in the way that they want and not be concerned about someone disrupting or causing harm to them while they’re there worshiping in the way that they want,” Bailey said.