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Budget proposes higher-education investments and capital spending; questions on specific campus requests
Summary
Commissioner Bryson said the FY26 proposal invests in higher education, including funding for salaries, benefits and capital; members asked for campus-specific clarifications such as a $900,000 appropriation for Roane State and UT Southern's $50,000 special appropriation relative to a $1.9 million request.
Commissioner Bryson told the committee the FY26 proposal includes further investments in higher education and capital projects.
Bryson said, "we are, investing another $780,800,000 into higher education. This includes funding for salaries, benefits, and the outcome based for funding formula among higher other higher ed initiatives." He also said the budget includes substantial higher-education capital and noted a capital figure on the slide.
Nut graf: The administration emphasized workforce and facility investments for colleges and community colleges, but several senators pressed for campus-level detail on specific appropriations and special requests.
During Q&A, Senator Yeager asked whether a $900,000 appropriation for a Roane State health center applies to the Knoxville center or a Roane County facility; Bryson replied it is "just the facility in Roane County Center." Senator Hensley pressed on UT Southern, which requested $1.9 million; Bryson said the governor's budget includes a $50,000 special appropriation and noted that UT Southern will also participate in salary policy increases so campus employees will receive pay raises in addition to that $50,000 support.
Ending: Members were told higher-education committees and campus stakeholders will have opportunities for deeper review of capital and operating requests in upcoming hearings.
