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State Rep. Gary Hicks (R-Rogersville) started his remarks with the final “State of the State” address to be given by Gov. Bill Lee, who is closing out his two terms in office. Lee has proposed a $57.9 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

“The governor is giving us his idea what the agenda will look like,” Hicks said. “The budget is 9% less than a year ago. We’re trying to do everything we can to get our budget back to where it should be.”

Hicks said that when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, people didn’t know what would happen.

“That year we passed a budget; it was bare bones,” Hicks said. “What we didn’t know that the federal government was going to give an influx of cash. Every year, we shoot for a 3% economic growth. During COVID, we had 10% growth. That’s unheard of. The influx of cash got our budget off kilter a little bit.

“This year, our growth is going to be 2.35%,” Hicks said. “We are a billion dollars ahead of what we should be.”

Hicks explained what is being done with the some of the excess dollars saved.

In the area of Economic Opportunity and Tax Relief, the state’s “Rainy Day Fund” will receive a $20 million investment. The Tennessee Youth Employment Program will be expanded with an $8 million investment. The Tennessee Entertainment Commission will also receive $25 million to fund incentive grants for Tennessee’s music and film industry.

In infrastructure and housing, $425 million has been promised to the Tennessee Department of Transportation to address the state’s infrastructure needs, including expediting road projects and funding new projects across Tennessee.

A $165 million expenditure will be used to renovate Tennessee’s rest areas and welcome centers. Commercial and general aviation will receive $56.2 million in infrastructure improvements.

A new Starter Home Revolving Loan Fund to support construction of new and affordable starter homes will receive $30 million.

The Rural Development Fund will receive $25 million for business development and infrastructure planning.

A $1.5 million investment will also be made to bring more direct international flights to Tennessee.

Hicks serves all of Hancock and parts of Hawkins and Claiborne counties.