Tennessee Legislature Passes Nearly $60 Billion Budget

The Tennessee General Assembly has passed a nearly $60 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, prioritizing education, infrastructure, disaster relief, and public safety. The budget allocates $640 million for K-12 education and $1 billion for roads and infrastructure improvements. Disaster relief includes $240 million for Emergency Management Agency grants and $110 million for local fiscal stabilization related to Hurricane Helene. Rural hospitals receive $78 million through TennCare Shared Savings, and safety improvements are funded at higher education institutions such as the University of Memphis. Several organizations, such as the Nashville Zoo, Duck River preservation, and Stax Music Academy, did not receive previously anticipated funding due to fiscal constraints and federal funding uncertainties. While lawmakers from both parties acknowledged the efforts behind the budget, some criticized it for not sufficiently addressing the economic strains facing Tennesseans.