NASHVILLE – State Senator Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro) secured nearly $40 million in state funding to support initiatives in Senate District 14. The appropriated funds are part of a $56.2 billion budget passed by the General Assembly in April. Republican priorities in the budget included efforts to strengthen families, bolster school safety, improve education, create new opportunities for economic development and modernize transportation.

“I am glad that these state funds are being directly invested in our communities to support economic and community development and improve health services for citizens,” said Sen. Reeves. “I am honored to serve Bedford, Cannon, Moore and Rutherford counties in the Tennessee Senate and represent the priorities and values of our district.”  

The state appropriations going to Senate District 14, include:

• $5 million to Shelbyville Municipal Airport for the installation of a sewer line
• $2 million to MTSU for scholarships for medical students who chose to learn and work in rural areas
• $100,000 to the Community Clinic of Shelbyville and Bedford County for providing medical services to vulnerable people
• $33 million for providing stability funds to nursing homes

Senator Reeves’ other legislative accomplishments session include:

• Passing legislation to enhance sentencing to combat drug trafficking of illicit drugs
• Securing $250k in funding for Special Olympics to provide health screenings
• Securing funding to better train health professionals in Tennessee
• Securing funding to attract prospective medical professionals to Tennessee

The Budget

“I was happy to support this year’s budget which makes a major investment in school security to protect our students and staff from outside threats,” added Reeves. “Additionally, I am glad the historic tax cuts included in the budget for families and small businesses will allow Tennesseans to keep more of their hard-earned money and help offset the rising costs of inflation.”

Notably, the budget provides $407 million in tax cuts, the largest in Tennessee’s history.  These cuts aim to lower the tax burden on businesses, boost Tennessee’s economic competitiveness, promote entrepreneurship and small businesses. It provides targeted relief to families with a three-month-long tax break on groceries from Aug. 1-Oct. 31.

The slate of budget and legislative priorities included significant investments in school safety with $223 million to provide a school resource officer for every public school and a Homeland Security agent for every county. These funds will also provide safety grants for private schools.

Lawmakers this session made key investments in transportation and infrastructure by providing $3.3 billion to alleviate urban traffic congestion and improve rural roads to support economic growth and development. 

It also makes a $250 million deposit in the state’s Rainy-Day Fund, which serves as the state’s savings account to help withstand economic downturns, bringing the fund to a historic balance of more than $2 billion.

Tennessee Republicans remain committed to keeping taxes low.  Tennessee is the second-lowest taxed state in the nation and collects zero income tax. Tennessee holds the highest bond rating issued by all three of the nation’s credit rating agencies, which reflects extreme confidence in the Volunteer State’s preparedness in meeting financial commitments in tough economic times.