Capitol Notebook: State budget to approach $40B and presidential politics in the Volunteer State – The Tennessean
There were more budget hearings before House lawmakers this month and another presidential candidate set up shop in Tennessee.
Here’s the latest in Volunteer State politics.
House budget hearings go another round
House lawmakers continued their budget hearings the week before Christmas with more than 30 presentations spread out four days.
When Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Stuart McWhorter appeared, he was asked to provide a preview of Gov. Bill Lee’s upcoming budget .
McWhorter noted that revenue collections have continued to remain strong. “With that comes the decision of how best to invest those dollars and just to continue with a very fiscally conservative approach to that,” he said.
McWhorter said he expected the governor’s budget to be about $40 billion. “That’s a significant growth,” the commissioner said. “But because of where we are … I think it’s harder to prioritize when you have dollars to invest as opposed to not.”
The final version of the current fiscal year’s budget approved by lawmakers in April was $39.1 billion.
While the initial budget presentation for this year could be $40 billion, it could increase even more after it makes its way through the legislative process.
It is unclear whether the forthcoming increase in the state budget will generate any concerns from lawmakers.
But in May 2017, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, freely expressed his opposition to former Gov. Bill Haslam’s recently approved legislation that would allow Tennesseans to go to college for free. In an animated post on Facebook, Holt said he was against “unacceptable and unaccountable expansions of government control.”
Holt concluded his message by turning to the size of the state budget.
“When I came into the legislature, we had a $28 billion budget; it’s now $37 billion only 7 years later!!” he wrote. “Am I crazy? Am I the only person who’s bothered by this?”
During budget hearings – when McWhorter mentioned the anticipated $40 billion budget – Holt, who is on the House budget committee, remained silent, only asking about the possibility of outsourcing the state’s technology services.
Biden campaign releases names of bundlers
Former Vice President Joe Biden and his presidential campaign recently released the names of more than 200 individuals and couples who are helping him raise money.
These so-called bundlers each helped the campaign raise at least $25,000.
Two Tennesseans are on the list: Bill Freeman, who in May hosted a Nashville fundraiser for Biden and has been an early backer of his campaign, and Chip Forrester, a former chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party. Freeman was a notable campaign bundler for former President Barack Obama.
Warren announces Tennessee team
Speaking of the Democratic presidential race, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren recently announced her Tennessee campaign team ahead of the state’s Super Tuesday primary.
Elizabeth Henderson will serve as Warren’s state director. Henderson has worked as the Tennessee state director for Organizing for Action and The Wilderness Society. She worked on former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean‘s 2018 gubernatorial campaign, among jobs with groups supporting progressive candidates.
Robin Alberts-Marigza is serving as organizing director. Previously, she served as state Sen. Jeff Yarbro‘s campaign manager and worked for U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper.
Sara Burklin is Warren’s East Tennessee regional organizing director. She previously was state Rep. Gloria Johnson’s campaign manager in 2018 and this year was the campaign manager for Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon.
Bloomberg in Tennessee
Mike Bloomberg is making Super Tuesday states, including Tennessee, the centerpiece of his effort to secure the Democratic nomination. The billionaire and former New York mayor is opening up his checkbook to hit the airwaves with ads ahead of March.
He recently made a campaign swing to Nashville, and Memphis has a Tennessee team in place as well. His team here is led by State Director Courtney Wheeler. The political strategist most recently served as Dean’s campaign manager in his 2018 gubernatorial bid.
According to the Nashville Scene, the Bloomberg team also includes Holly McCall, who will lead communications; Ashford Hughes, a former Nashville mayoral aide, as political director; Spencer Bowers, a former state Democratic Party official, as digital director; and Carol Brown Andrews, who worked for Reps. Bob Clement and Harold Ford, Jr., is a senior adviser.
Others on the team include state Rep. London Lamar, D-Memphis, as outreach director, Rod Wright as organizing director and Alex Ryan as data director, the Scene reported.
What else you should check out
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- Tennessee Highway Patrol colonel: Dangerous to enforce HOV lanes
- This Tennessee law makes it easier to obtain a concealed carry handgun permit in 2020
- As he faces GOP pushback, evangelical Christian leaders praise Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee over refugee decision
- Capitol Commission will meet by end of February to discuss removal of Nathan Bedford Forrest bust
- Kincannon calls for team work, working together in first address as mayor
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Published 11:00 PM EST Dec 29, 2019
