Gov. Bill Haslam gives his annual State of the State address to a joint convention of the Tennessee General Assembly as his wife, Crissy, listens Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Haslam used his last state of the state address Monday to tout Tennessee’s progress under his tenure and then challenge Tennesseans to lead the nation in creating high-paying jobs, boosting student educational achievement and providing the most efficient state services.
At the same time, the Republican unveiled a $37.5 billion spending plan aimed at boosting education, teacher pay and job growth while targeting the state’s opioid epidemic.
“Seven years ago, we raised our expectations,” Haslam told a joint convention of House, Senate and other top state government leaders as he outlined victories in areas ranging from national recognition for raising student test scores to cutting taxes by $572 million, offering free community college for residents and seeing more than 400,000 new jobs.
“We became the kind of leaders who didn’t just talk about cutting taxes and enhancing services, we actually did lower taxes while growing our economy and providing access to high-quality education,” Haslam said. “We cannot lose the momentum we have worked so hard to build.”
He proposed to the Republican-controlled General Assembly, with whom he shared credit for gains, what he called a “bold new challenge.”