NASHVILLE — Declaring Tennessee the greatest state in the country, Gov. Bill Lee said Saturday the state is leading the nation in areas ranging from economic development and low taxes to his new education funding formula as the Republican was sworn into office for his second and final term.
“Thank you, not only for being here, but for who you are and what you do to make this the greatest state in the greatest country in the world,” the 63-year-old Republican businessman said as he addressed a crowd of more than 1,500 people, including lawmakers, dignitaries and others on Legislative Plaza with the state Capitol and a blue sky as a backdrop. “Tennessee reminds people in this country that America hasn’t lost her way.”
Lee used the address to review strides the state has taken during his first term, challenges both public and personal, as well as to look ahead.
“We need a transportation strategy and an energy strategy designed for one of the fastest growing states in America,” the governor said, alluding to his planned effort to boost road spending as well as persuade the GOP-dominated General Assembly to authorize public partnerships with private companies to build and operate new dedicated interstate lanes that people can pay to drive on.