Haslam says surplus-rich budget presents 'unique' opportunity to advance education, other areas

NASHVILLE -- Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says the 2016-2017 annual spending proposal he will present this evening to Tennessee lawmakers provides a "unique" opportunity to use state government surpluses "thoughtfully" to advance areas like education.

"I think what is unique about this year, as everyone knows, is that we have the opportunity of dealing with a surplus," Haslam told reporters earlier today. "The surplus didn't just happen. A lot of people worked really hard to create the opportunity we have before us."

Haslam, who presents his sixth budget at 6 p.m. (CST) to a joint convention of representatives and senators, said the second point he hopes to make is "that just really is an opportunity. We have the chance to be thoughful about how we invest these dollars.

"And you'll see us, again it's no surprise, investing in education both K-12 and higher education," Haslam continued. "You will see us trying to use that money for things that will save us money long term. One of the things [is] about the maintenance for our buildings that we have discussed before."

Haslam said there will also be "a lot of focus" on "particularly our most vulnerable citizens who count on us for things they can't get elsewhere."

House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, told the Times Free Press in early January that one-time surpluses from fiscal year 2015 and current fiscal year 2016 could near the $1 billion mark by June 30.

The governor's focus on education K-12 and Tennessee's Basic Education Program school funding formula is one thing that school districts in Hamilton County and six nearby counties will be looking at in the governor's proposed budget.

The seven systems last year sued the state, charging the BEP substantially short-changes them.