Senator Tim Burchett Gives Legislative Briefing
Tennessee State Senator Tim Burchett spoke to Chamber members about the state’s current budget, how Governor Phil Bredesen can best use federal stimulus money, and reorganization of the state’s higher education system during March’s legislative briefing. The event, sponsored by AT&T, was the second legislative briefing in a series where Chamber members are updated on the ongoing Tennessee legislative session.
Per capita, Tennessee has the lowest debt in the nation. Senator Burchett says the difficult budget situation is not insurmountable and that stimulus dollars will help manage through. He noted, however, that the proposed unemployment insurance hike may have an effect on some businesspeople in the area.
“I’m very concerned about the unemployment insurance situation,” Senator Burchett said. “What scares me is some good folks in this room aren’t going to get stimulus money when they probably deserve it more than anybody else. These folks are going to have to put in over $100 extra per employee for this insurance. This is a scary proposition for businesses with very thin profit margins.”
The recent resignation of University of Tennessee President Dr. John Petersen has sparked conversation of potential reorganization of the state’s higher-education system. Bredesen has hinted at the desire to combine the UT and Tennessee Board of Regents systems. Proponents of the idea have said it would persuade leaders of the higher-education system to recommend comprehensive, cost-cutting reforms. Senator Burchett isn’t sold on the merger.
“This is a scary proposition for me because UT-Knoxville is the flagship of the University,” he said. “UT-Knoxville is a land-grant institution and I think that anyone who tries to take our focus off of that and of what we have here in Knoxville is a detriment to us. I think the economy of our state could suffer if the focus is taken off the mission and goals of UT-Knoxville.”
The Chamber’s legislative briefings are key opportunities to hear from legislative leaders and to share the concerns of the business community. The next briefing is scheduled for April 24 and will feature Senator Randy McNally, chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means committee. To register for this event please call 865-246-2622 or visit www.knoxvillechamber.com.
