Happenings Around the Hill
In August, the Joint Government Operations Committee, Government Operations Subcommittees, Fiscal Review Committee, and the Study Committee on Refugee Issues all convened for their respective regularly scheduled meetings. Additionally, a multitude of notable announcements from state officials were made during August. Department of Finance & Administration Commissioner Butch Eley announced July’s Revenue numbers totaled $1.5 billion, exceeding the budgeted estimate by over $286 million. Tennessee finished the 2020-2021 fiscal year with a 13.93% growth rate over the previous year, tax receipts exceeded the budgeted estimates by $2.1 billion, and general fund revenues exceeded the budgeted estimates by $1.9 billion. *
Although revenues continue to exceed expectations, one of the state’s revenue streams will look different in future budgets. On August 17th, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced the dissolution of vehicle emissions testing in 5 of the 6 counties requiring the test. The move comes after the EPA approved a revision to Tennessee’s air quality plan. While Davidson County continues to require vehicle emissions testing, residents in Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties will be exempt from the requirement beginning January 14th, 2022. **
On August 11th, the Department of Education released the district-level results of the 2020-2021 Spring Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). *** To allow districts to continue providing safe learning environments when significantly impacted by COVID-19, Commissioner Schwinn sent a letter to all Tennessee school district leaders on Friday, August 27th informing them of the opportunity to apply for waivers for individual classrooms or schools to transition to remote learning. **** The waivers are valid for 7 days, although districts do have the opportunity to resubmit a waiver if conditions have not improved.
* The full press release can be accessed here.
** The full press release can be accessed here.
*** The full press release can be accessed here.
**** A copy of the full letter can be accessed here.