Tennessee

Governor Lee celebrated Tennessee as a top-5 state for reading and math gains since 2022, with only six states having fourth graders who read significantly better. He announced $340 million in additional public school funding, a $50,000 starting teacher salary by 2027, and proposed doubling Education Freedom Scholarships from 20,000 to at least 40,000 spots. He also highlighted the $25 million Nuclear Fund expansion and launch of the Tennessee Quantum Initiative for workforce development.

Governor Lee announced Tennessee will receive more than $1 billion over five years through the Rural Health Transformation Fund. He made an aggressive case for scope-of-practice reform, asking why pharmacists can't treat strep throat and why nurse practitioners must close when a supervising physician leaves. He called for finishing Certificate of Need reform, noting these laws have 'turned away nearly $1.5 billion in healthcare investment.' He also proposed $25 million more for the state's Nuclear Fund to support energy independence.

Governor Lee reported $11 billion invested in Tennessee in 2025, 300,000 new jobs over his tenure, and Tennessee named the best business environment in America. He announced an additional $25 million for the Nuclear Fund after Tennessee was named #1 for nuclear energy development, launched the Tennessee Quantum Initiative, and highlighted Memphis ranking #1 for economic development projects. He emphasized 50% of business investment going to rural counties.

Governor Lee highlighted Tennessee as the number one state for nuclear energy development, with an $8 billion Nuclear Fund attracting investment, and proposed an additional $25 million for the fund. He emphasized the launch of a Tennessee Quantum Initiative and continued investment in transportation and infrastructure that supports $11 billion in economic development investment in 2025.

Governor Lee reported crime down 55% in Shelby County with the lowest monthly crime totals in over 25 years through the Memphis Safe Task Force. He highlighted 5,500 criminal arrests and the TBI Missing Child Unit's recovery of 146 missing children. He proposed $80 million in grants to accelerate Memphis momentum and permanently placing 100 Highway Patrol troopers in Shelby County. He also announced reaching the benchmark of 1,300 total Highway Patrol troopers statewide.

Governor Lee announced Tennessee was named the #1 state for nuclear energy development and proposed $25 million for the Nuclear Fund. He highlighted the Tennessee Nuclear Fund's success in recruiting $8 billion in investment and announced the Tennessee Quantum Initiative. He celebrated multi-generational nuclear energy legacy in Oak Ridge, from the Manhattan Project to current small modular reactor development at the Clinch River Site.

Governor Lee did not make housing a central focus of his address, instead emphasizing education, public safety in Memphis, nuclear energy, and rural healthcare.

Governor Lee highlighted Tennessee's triple-AAA bond rating, 50% revenue growth over eight years while reducing government employees by 1,100, and an additional $340 million directed to public schools. He proposed $80 million in grants for Memphis crime reduction and an additional $25 million for the Nuclear Fund. He emphasized fiscal stewardship as the number one reason companies choose Tennessee, noting the state's approach of reducing government size while increasing targeted investments.

Governor Lee announced the Tennessee Quantum Initiative to position the state as a national leader in quantum research, infrastructure, and workforce development. He also highlighted Tennessee's #1 ranking for nuclear energy development, proposed an additional $25 million for the state's Nuclear Fund, and celebrated the Clinch River Site as likely the first small modular reactor location in America. He framed Tennessee as both the "Original Frontier" and the "future frontier."

Governor Lee did not focus extensively on agriculture specifically but highlighted rural economic development, with over 50% of investment dollars going directly to rural counties over the past seven years, which includes agricultural communities.

Governor Lee recounted visiting Tennessee National Guard soldiers stationed in Kuwait and Germany, sleeping in barracks and eating in mess halls. He connected the nuclear energy legacy from the Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge to today's innovation, recognizing the Whedbee family's three-generation service at Oak Ridge. He proposed $25 million for the Nuclear Fund and announced the Tennessee Quantum Initiative.

Governor Lee called for Certificate of Need law reform to remove barriers to healthcare investment, noting these laws have turned away nearly $1.5 billion in healthcare investment since 2000. He also pushed for scope of practice reforms to let medical professionals practice to the full extent of their training, framing both as getting government out of the way of better healthcare delivery.

Governor Lee announced $80 million in grants to accelerate public safety momentum in Memphis and highlighted rural healthcare transformation with over $1 billion in federal funding over five years. He called for scope of practice reforms and Certificate of Need reform to expand healthcare access in rural communities, noting that since 2000, Certificate of Need laws have turned away nearly $1.5 billion in healthcare investment.

Governor Lee highlighted fiscal discipline as the foundation for affordability, noting revenues increased 50% over eight years while government employees were reduced by 1,100. He proposed $340 million more for public schools and emphasized raising starting teacher salary to $50,000 (from $35,000 in 2019). He called for Certificate of Need reform and scope of practice expansion to increase healthcare access and reduce costs, particularly in rural areas. He framed all priorities around ensuring Tennesseans have "a good job, a good school for their kid, and a safe neighborhood."