On Wednesday morning, the Chattanooga Chamber gathered a group of Tennessee state legislators for the Legislative Kickoff event, where they shared their thoughts on the upcoming legislative session and their priorities for the new year.
Senator Bo Watson emphasized that his primary focus is on the budget. He noted that many state initiatives have been funded with federal stimulus dollars, which are now dwindling. This will require state legislators to make tough decisions about which programs to continue funding.
Representative Greg Vital highlighted utilities and infrastructure maintenance and improvements as his top priorities. He wants to see the state manage growth and the resulting strain on infrastructure properly.
Representative Yusuf Hakeem stated that his priority is public education.
Representative Greg Martin also focused on the budget and expressed a desire to hear from his constituents about their priorities.
As a freshman legislator, Representative Michelle Renault said she is listening to her constituents and learning the legislative process.
When asked about the governor’s Education Freedom Act, which would create a scholarship program for students to attend private schools or be homeschooled, Representative Hakeem expressed concerns about creating an underclass of students and stressed the importance of enhancing public education, not killing it. Representative Martin pointed out that enrollment in public schools is up, suggesting that more money is being invested in public education rather than being taken out of the system.
When asked how the 2024 presidential election might influence state politics, Senator Watson remarked that it is uncertain, but if history is any guide, many priorities will shift back to the states. Representative Hakeem added that federal initiatives have significantly improved the lives of regular people, and he hopes the new administration will consider this when looking to cut programs. Representative Vital predicted that there would be a lot of regulation cutting, which he believes will benefit businesses.
Senator Watson closed the event by urging everyone to get involved with their state government, emphasizing that state and local governments are where things get done, and this will become even more true as the new administration takes power.
Learn more about the 2025 Public Policy Agenda of the Chattanooga Chamber.
