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State Briefs

Duck River

Gov. Lee creates Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed Executive Order 108, to establish the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership and further the state’s commitment to balancing economic growth, water resource management, and environmental and habitat conservation to ensure the long-term sustainability of Tennessee’s...

Tennessee October revenues $30.1M less than budgeted estimates

The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration announced that revenues for October were $1.5 billion, which is $22.6 million more than October of last year, but $30.1 million less than the budgeted estimate.  

The total growth rate for the month was 1.53 percent. 

General fund revenues were...

Tennessee October unemployment steady at 3.3%

Tennessee’s October unemployment rate remained near its all-time low and well below the U.S. rate, according to the latest data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.3% in October, an increase of one-tenth of...

TN AG announces opioid settlement with Kroger

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, alongside a bipartisan coalition of 30 state attorneys general, announced the completion of the $1.37 billion settlement agreement with Kroger, addressing the grocery chain’s role in the opioid crisis. Tennessee will receive up to $42.9 million for...

Tennessee's Digital Opportunity Plan approved by NTIA

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced the approval of the state’s Digital Opportunity Plan. The department has been allocated $15.8 million to implement the plan, which supports digital skilling and workforce development programs. With this approval from...

Tennessee graduation rate breaks record

Tennessee’s high school graduation rate broke another record in the 2023-24 school year. The rate was 92.1%, above the previous school year’s record-breaking 90.6%. Clay County Schools, McKenzie Special School District, South Carroll Special School District, and West Carroll Special District each...

TN Comptroller Sales Tax Compliance

Tennessee’s Retail Accountability program produces sales tax compliance

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has completed an evaluation of Tennessee’s Retail Accountability Program (RAP) which is designed to ensure businesses remit the proper amount of sales tax revenues

Sports betting has generated $261M in tax revenue for Tennessee

Sports betting has generated more than $261 million in taxes for Tennessee since its legalization in 2019. More than $14.7 billion in sports bets have been placed in Tennessee during that period with Tennessee being the first state to go fully online for its sports betting. The industry has...

Tennessee September unemployment rate increases

Tennessee’s unemployment rate increased in September but remained 1% lower than the national rate. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development said the state’s September unemployment rate was at 3.2%, up from 3.1% the previous month and a three-month record-low of 3% between May and...

Tennessee's September revenues $101.2M above estimates

Tennessee revenues exceeded budgeted estimates for the month of September.  

Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson reported total September tax revenues were $2.2 billion, $101.2 million more than the budgeted estimate and $18.9 million more than September 2023. The total tax growth rate...

memphis

FBI to open new Nashville headquarters, continue field offices in Knoxville, Memphis

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has moved its main Tennessee headquarters to a new office in Nashville, but said it will continue to operate “resident agencies” in Memphis and Knoxville.  Instead of having two separate sets of leadership operating in Knoxville and Memphis, FBI Director Chris...

White Oak

State seeks help in white oak restoration efforts

A new initiative is seeking to aid in the restoration of native white oaks across Tennessee. The Tennessee White Oak Initiative is a cooperative effort between the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF), TDF’s East Tennessee Nursery, the University of Tennessee Extension, and...