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Lee seeks $11 million for Boys & Girls Clubs, Smart Steps changes and wage boosts for childcare workers
Summary
Governor Bill Lee proposed an additional $11 million investment in the Boys & Girls Club to serve 7,500 low-income children, changes to the Smart Steps childcare program to ease the benefits cliff, and expanded eligibility for a wages program to boost pay for childcare workers and increase day care capacity.
In his State of the State address, Governor Bill Lee proposed targeted investments and policy changes intended to expand childcare access and workforce stability across Tennessee.
Lee proposed an additional $11,000,000 investment in “one of our premier childcare providers, Boys and Girls Club, to serve 7,500 low income kids across Tennessee.” He said the approach would build on existing community providers rather than create a new government program.
The governor also proposed reforms to the Smart Steps childcare program intended to “ease the benefits cliff” and cover more middle- and low-income working families. To reduce turnover among early childhood workers, Lee proposed expanding eligibility for Tennessee’s existing wages program to allow more childcare workers higher pay and thereby increase available daycare spots.
Lee added that the administration will work to streamline childcare facility licensing and permitting, which he said will help create “tens of thousands of new day care spots all across rural and urban Tennessee.” The speech did not include the statutory text or administrative plan for the Smart Steps changes, nor did it specify timing or exact implementation mechanisms for the licensing reforms.
