Different aspects of our state are often described with numbers; some good and some not so good. Tennessee is 47th in tax burden and we're the fifth friendliest business state, both good numbers. But we are also ranked 46th in educational attainment, 47th in health status and third in personal bankruptcies; some not so good numbers.
These numbers are important, but in the end, they are just numbers. What's really important is that behind these numbers are people, and Tennessee families.
I am looking forward to the approaching session of the Tennessee General Assembly and to working with Gov. Phil Bredesen to serve Tennessee families and to keep our state moving forward.
For the last several years we have worked hand in hand with Governor Bredesen to pass a "family budget" for all Tennesseans where we live within our means. We've passed four balanced budgets with no new taxes by keeping our belt tight and focusing on key priorities like education, jobs and health care.
As we begin this next budget cycle, we must continue to use our dollars wisely. We must invest in our children, in our health care system, in roads, in our employees and in jobs.
Today, I would like to focus on our education system. In many ways it is the linchpin to our state moving forward.
State has hit a milestone
I'm proud to report that Tennessee hit an education milestone in late September and early October. More 4-year-olds than ever are walking through their classroom doors to a quality education under Tennessee 's voluntary Pre-K program. Thanks to a mostly bipartisan commitment by Governor Bredesen and the members of the 104th General Assembly, we've added 529 new Pre-K classrooms in 121 school systems statewide; many of those classrooms are in Middle Tennessee.
These young Tennesseans are getting new opportunities and the necessary tools they need for lifelong success. We must keep up this momentum and provide additional funds across the state to further expand our nationally recognized Pre-K program. It's important to note that Pre-K isn't our only education priority. We need to continue fully funding our state's Basic Education Program for K-12. We have added nearly $588 million dollars over the last three years to fund the BEP. This year we must again fund the formula that provides dollars to our K-12 schools.
There are many school systems across Tennessee struggling to meet the needs of at risk and ELL students. We need to provide assistance to these systems and recognize that the BEP was not designed to address these components. Last year, we improved higher education funding. Moreover, we were able to hold tuition increases to moderate levels. This year we will attempt to do the same. It is also important that we continue to make capital investments in our state colleges and universities and ensure that the Tennessee lottery continues its success.
But the fact is, these other investments aren't fully leveraged if we haven't given our children the foundation upon which to build a successful future. Pre-K provides that foundation. I'm convinced, and I hope you agree, that it's our obligation to help and that such opportunities make our state a better place now and in the future.
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