News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Representative Ryan Williams said the state has a budget in place that will protect the Volunteer State as the COVID-19 situation evolves.
A $39.8 billion budget passed around 11:30pm Thursday night. It includes a $350 million addition to the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
“It’s obviously our hope and prayer, many of us in the legislature that, you know, our fears or our concerns regarding COVID-19 won’t be as great as those in Italy and that we were actually able to flatten the curve, which means not all these revenues will be consumed,” Williams said. “And then we can start the process of rebuilding our local and state and federal economies so that we can see what the dust looks like in seventy five days and see if it settles in.”
Williams said the new fiscal year budget will feature spending at the same level as this year. State departments reduced funding requests across the board, not knowing how long the coronavirus might affect the economy. The governor reduced his original budget request by some $900 million.
“We’re going to have a pretty big shortfall over the next three months in sales tax revenue,” Williams said.
The legislature also approved some $150 million in spending to help fund public health needs. $75 million becomes available immediately and Williams said the rest will be available July 1, if needed.
“The governor and the commissioner to use towards consumables as it relates to the health care crisis as well to assist Tennessee citizens with the necessities and medical community with their ability to fight or combat this,” Williams said.
Williams and other legislators leaving Nashville Friday morning. Most staff members had already departed because of coronavirus concerns. The legislature plans to return to Nashville in June.
