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Lawmakers present a slate of one-time appropriation requests to FW&M Appropriations subcommittee; no votes taken
Summary
At an FW&M Appropriations subcommittee meeting, senators presented multiple nonrecurring grant requests and project funding proposals — including a $25 million legislative parking garage, museum and school safety funding — but the committee did not hold votes on the items during the session.
The FW&M Appropriations Subcommittee heard a series of one-time appropriation requests from senators during a meeting that opened with roll call and concluded with no recorded votes.
Senator Bolling presented the bulk of the requests on page 2 of the committee packet, beginning with amendment 118, asking for $2,000,000 nonrecurring to the Department of Finance and Administration to grant the city of McMinnville funds “to be used in the construction of the new Mark R. Gwyn Memorial Cultural Center in McMinnville,” she told the committee. Bolling then asked for $25,000,000 to fund planning and construction of a parking garage with at least 400 spaces attached to the north side of the Cordell Hull Building “to be used solely by legislative employees,” saying the current arrangement requires legislative aides to enter and exit at the lowest level and “go through a gauntlet.”
Bolling also asked for $1,220,000 nonrecurring to the Department of Transportation as a grant to the city of Tullahoma for rehabilitation of a runway at Tullahoma Regional Airport; $100,000 nonrecurring to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency for a Lincoln County first-responder and emergency services training facility; $250,000 nonrecurring to the Department of Finance and Administration for a new central heating and air unit at the DeKalb County courthouse; and $3,000,000 nonrecurring to the Department of Finance and Administration as a grant to Aviation Leadership Academy Incorporated for land purchase and construction of a new hangar.
Chairman Watson asked whether the Aviation Leadership Academy is located at Tullahoma Regional Airport; Senator Bolling answered that it is in Lincoln County. The committee did not record further questions or any votes on Bolling’s requests during the session.
Chairman Briggs returned later in the meeting to present a $3,000,000 nonrecurring request on behalf of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance to replace an online filing system the bureau says was created nearly 30 years ago. Briggs said a replacement would permit functions not contemplated when the system was created, such as allowing filers to upload data from Excel or Quicken, and estimated the replacement system would cost “approximately $3,000,000.” Briggs said he would provide additional documentation to members’ offices, and he addressed a question about the Interfaith Health Clinic by saying the clinic’s request was “roughly half and half” between renovation and equipment and that he would follow up with details.
Leader Akberry asked for $2,500,000 nonrecurring for the National Ornamental Metal Museum’s expansion to a historic building near Overton Park in Memphis, saying the organization has raised $26,500,000 on its own and that the requested amount would help complete the project.
Senator Oliver presented amendment 139: a $1,300,000 nonrecurring grant to the Department of Education so Metro Nashville Public Schools can purchase AI weapons-detection systems for all of its high schools. Oliver cited a recent school shooting at Antioch High School and said the local school board had committed to buy the systems and was asking the state to partner on costs.
No formal votes, motions, or final actions were recorded in the transcript for any of these requests during the meeting. The committee adjourned after members concluded presentations.
