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Tennessee Chamber urges bigger, modernized investment toolkit to avoid infrastructure lag
Summary
Josh Brown, CEO/Director of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, told the House Transportation Committee that failing to invest in infrastructure will cause congestion, slower freight and lost competitiveness; he cited the Transportation Modernization Act and urged exploring additional funding tools. Members pushed back on whether corporations should pay more and on the state's $38 billion backlog.
Director Josh Brown of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce told the House Transportation Committee that infrastructure funding is an economic-competitiveness issue that requires a modern toolkit of revenue and financing options.
Brown emphasized the cost of inaction: "When infrastructure doesn't keep pace the impacts are real and measurable," he said, citing congestion, less reliable freight and pressures on labor markets. He noted the Transportation Modernization Act's $3,000,000,000 in state funds and said that state dollars can leverage larger federal matches. Brown urged the legislature to consider additional tools and flexible financing to keep Tennessee competitive as neighboring states increase infrastructure investment.
During Q&A members raised the committee's $38,000,000,000 backlog figure and pressed whether profitable corporations should shoulder more of the burden. Representative Bain accused the chamber of playing a role in tax changes that reduced corporate state tax liability; Brown defended the chamber's role in representing businesses and said the chamber supports exploring funding options and convening stakeholders to pursue solutions. Members requested follow-up materials and a study already underway (TASHA) that could offer a roadmap.
