Hello, this is Senator Paul Bailey bringing you this week’s capitol update. The photo behind me is the first cutting of alfalfa [??? 0:08] on my farm in 2017.

Recession drawing to a close, I can’t wait to spend more time at home on the farm and ride the tractor for a little tractor therapy. Lord knows I needed after recession.

The biggest news coming out of the senate this week is the passage of Tennessee’s $37.5 billion budget, which is an investment in the people of our state. This budget centers on our commitment to helping children, the disabled and elderly while continuing to fund economic development and adding to our rainy-day fund.

Every year the General Assembly is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget. And I’m pleased to say that the Senate has accomplished that requirement.

Included in the budget is $3 million dollars to the Tennessee Tech School of Engineering. This funding will align tech with the same funding that UT Knoxville Engineering school receives annually.

These funds will assist and attracting more students to tech engineering school by keeping tuition cost affordable and providing competitive educational opportunities. The funding is vital for the future development and success of Tennessee Tech.

I’m excited to announce that Livingston Academy and Jackson County High School are both receiving GEAR UP grants from the Tennessee Department of Higher Education.

Livingston Academy is receiving $832,000 and Jackson County High School is receiving $598,000. GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs and aims to increase the number of low-income students in Tennessee who are succeeding in higher education.

These grants will provide much needed services for the students in Overton and Jackson counties to ensure they are academically ready to succeed in higher education.

I look forward to seeing the success that will result from this investment. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please contact my office. And until next week, this is Paul Bailey thanking you for allowing me to serve as your state senator.