Lee Delivers Fifth State Of The State Address…Wants Bigger Grocery Tax Holiday

If Governor Bill Lee gets his way, that grocery sales tax holiday we had in Tennessee in 2022…will be even bigger in 2023. Governor Lee addressed the General Assembly last night in Nashville as he gave his fifth State of the State address. Lee put forth his legislative priorities and that includes a grocery sales tax holiday that would not last just one month, but three months from August 1st through October 31st. The governor is also proposing help for the state’s small businesses in the form of more than $150 million in annual tax relief for small businesses through the Tennessee Works Act. The governor also highlighted his $3 billion transportation modernization plan. Among items that plan would feature are “choice” lanes…express lanes that drivers can pay to use in urban areas. The governor noted that choice lanes are not toll roads. Lee also cited the need for continued financial stability in the state and wants to add $250 million to the state’s rainy day fund. Of course all of Lee’s proposals have to pass through the General Assembly. However, the republicans hold a large majority in the house and also have a sizeable majority in the state senate as well.