Governor Lee Delivers Annual Address to the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee addressed the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday at the JW Marriott in Nashville. In attendance at the annual event were Chamber of Commerce members, economic development investors, and other Nashvillians.

That's a wrap, folks!

Thank you to @GovBillLee and everyone who attended and followed along with our live tweets. Learn more about the @nashchamber at https://t.co/Y7I1PP1VDm #GovernorsAddress pic.twitter.com/JNyqTmVQWu

— Nashville Chamber (@nashchamber) March 23, 2023

During his speech, Lee highlighted the policy priorities he has proposed to the Tennessee legislature to address the state’s rapid growth and expand opportunities for Tennesseans across the state.

Specifically, according to Nashville Business Journal, Lee touted his proposals to address transportation challenges, teacher compensation, and workforce shortages.

TN is the fastest-growing state in the nation, thanks to our top business climate & skilled workforce strategy.

Thank you, @nashchamber, for your partnership to ensure our state continues to lead with opportunity for TN families & businesses. pic.twitter.com/DA5ytOLZoW

— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) March 23, 2023

Just recently, the Tennessee Senate voted to approve Lee’s Transportation Modernization Act, which would allow private companies to build toll lanes in the state, increase the electric vehicle registration fee, and put $3.3 billion into the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Transportation Modernization Fund.

In regards to providing more resources and increased compensation for teachers, a bill was recently introduced in the legislature that would both raise the minimum salary for a Tennessee teacher to $50,000 by 2026-27 and eliminate the option of districts collecting Tennessee Education Association dues from paychecks. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee earlier this month.

In order to help train enough workers to keep up with the rapidly growing workforce in the state, Lee touted his plans to complete Tennessee’s TCAT Master Plan by adding nearly $1 billion to the program – which, according to Lee, would benefit both Tennessee employers and citizens.

“When you have one of the best economies in the country, you have a real challenge with the workforce. Right now, it’s in a position we’ve not ever seen before because of the tremendous amount of activity we have going on in our state,” Lee said during the event. “We can deliver 10,000 more workers, and that’s 10,000 more workers desperately needed by companies.”

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Gov. Bill Lee Addresses the Nashville Chamber of Commerce” by Gov. Bill Lee.