11-02-2025
A DOGE shoutout and a Democratic walkout: Takeaways from Lee's State of the State
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee touted his administration's innovative policy approaches as he presented his state spending plan and legislative priorities during his annual State of the State address on Monday evening.
In response, spectators yelled out their dissent, nearly a dozen Democrats walked out, and the Republican majority legislature thunderously applauded.
Here are takeaways from Lee's speech:
Innovation was a central theme as Lee presented his vision for the year, but while the governor touted policy changes his administration has championed, he outlined few details for major innovative changes for the future.
Throughout the 38-minute speech, Lee touted his policy innovations, citing work to secure Tennessee's unique state Medicaid block grant, funding grant programs to incentivize nuclear energy development, and rethinking the state's funding approach for K-12 education by establishing a statewide private school choice program.
'Tennessee has led the nation as a beacon of opportunity, security and freedom,' he said. 'Why can't we be the nation's capital of innovation, too?'
He proposed a few new changes. For example, in an effort to address the state's teacher shortage, Lee is proposing to establish a 'limited occupational teaching license' to allow 'experienced tradesmen and women to teach their craft without having to jump through all the hoops of extra coursework.'
'Sometimes the most innovative solution is the obvious one,' he said. 'For example, why not allow an expert welder to teach a welding class?'
He's also proposing $72.6 million toward nuclear energy initiatives and called on the complete of the Tennessee Valley Authority's Clinch River side for a new small modular nuclear reactor.
Lee outlined a plan to create 'tens of thousands of new day care spots across rural and urban Tennessee' to create 'one of the most family friendly workforces in the nation."
But his proposals do little for parents of infants and toddlers that exceed the state income limits of $76,600 per year for a family of four.
'Today, infant care in Tennessee carries virtually the same price tag as in-state tuition at a four-year public college,' Lee said. 'That is an insurmountable cost for the vast majority of moms and dads who want to be in the workforce.'
Lee's solution is an $11 million state grant for Boys and Girls Clubs – a child care provider that serves children ages 5-18 in before and after school care settings.
He's also proposing to 'ease the benefits cliff' of the state's Smart Steps Child Care Program, which provides low-income families with assistance for child care payments, and boosting child care worker pay through the state's existing WAGES program, which offers supplemental pay for DHS-licensed childcare workers.
Lee hinted at an effort 'to streamline child care facility licensing and permitting' but offered no details at what regulations may be changed.
Hecklers shouted objections early in Lee's speech, as Lee touted his recent efforts to establish a state immigration enforcement division. In response, spectators in the West Gallery shouted, 'Immigrants are welcome here! Immigrants are welcome here!'
On the floor, around a dozen Democrats stood up and walked out. The Democrats later said it was in particular protest of Lee's special session legislation that included a private school voucher program and an immigration enforcement plan that Democrats have criticized as anti-democratic.
Rep. Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville, criticized Republicans for starting every House session off with a prayer before doing "some of the most unChristian-like things in that chamber."
"Jesus would do none of the things that they're doing. We're here to protect the least among us, the unhouses, the people who are the most vulnerable," Dixie said.
Democratic leadership did not join the walk-out during Lee's speech, though they said they were still united as a caucus.
"Our Democratic caucus is united in opposition to this governor and his misplaced priorities," House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons said.
Since taking office, Lee has cut just over 1% of cabinet agency employees, repeating the refrain that "government is not the answer" to the state's challenges.
Entering his seventh year in office, Lee is proposing to cut 324 vacant positions at state agencies, continuing his administration's quest to shrink the size of state government.
'Limited government is knowing how to do more with less," Lee said. "More bureaucracy does not mean better service. Businesses already know this – government should do the same.'
Lee specifically acknowledged the new federal Department of Government Efficiency, created by the new Trump administration and led by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
"With the new federal Department of Government Efficiency, Washington is finally seeing a revival of our nation's founding principles, aligning with Tennessee's commitment to limited government, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberty," Lee said.
Lee in recent weeks has been effusive in his public praise of Trump, perhaps seeking to smooth over any ruffled feathers that led Trump to publicly refer to the governor as "RINO" after the two endorsed competing candidates in a heated state Senate primary race this summer.
In 2022, lawmakers approved establishment of the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee, to strengthen civics education while underscoring civility and respect in public exchange.
'One way we strengthen tradition is by teaching civics and American exceptionalism,' Lee said.
This year, Lee is proposing funding to expand the institute's reach to 'make sure Tennessee children – from Kindergarten to 12th grade – learn about the founding principles that make America the greatest country on earth.'
Less than three weeks after a school shooting at Antioch High School, gun safety initiatives that Lee has championed in the past did not get a mention in his speech.
In the wake of the Covenant School shooting in 2023, Lee called a special legislative session backing legislation seeking to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.
Rep. Jason Powell, D-Nashville, said Monday the governor's office didn't even respond to his request in January to expand the scope of the special session to include gun initiatives. While his budget includes some new funding for school resource officers, Lee made no mention of any other gun safety initiatives on Monday.
Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, said the issue of gun safety was 'glaringly omitted.'
'We just had a shooting in Antioch not that long ago. We all remember what happened at Covenant. I represent Memphis, and we have several instances of gun violence there,' Akbari said. 'Several years ago, one of our members pointed out how easy it is to purchase a weapon second-hand in Tennessee. We have to make sure that people feel safe. It's really simple.'
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bill Lee State of the State address: DOGE shoutout and a Dem walkout
