Budget Recommendations 2028
Affordability and Economic Security
Appropriate state funds to offset the new federal SNAP cost-sharing requirements, ensuring eligible Tennesseans retain access to benefits.
Support the Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s efforts to expand and preserve affordable housing supply, prioritizing the regions and household types where the gap is greatest for families with children.
Education and Early Learning
Make clearing the SmartSteps waitlist the top educational priority for the upcoming fiscal year and pursue all available funding mechanisms while maintaining existing services.
Appropriate funds to the Commission on Children and Youth to conduct a Misalignment Index study of Tennessee’s child care system, examining the gap between the care families need and want and what is currently available.
Support increased access to free school meals for Tennessee students.
Health, Mental Health & Development
Assess options to strengthen pediatric primary and specialty care access, including recruitment incentives and reimbursement rate adjustments.
Appropriate funds to expand co-located pediatric and behavioral health care models, allowing families to access physical and mental health services in a single visit.
Child Safety & Risk Behavior
