Although schedules were somewhat affected by inclement weather last week, we used the time productively to clarify some important budget details. After communicating with the Budget Office, we can confirm that the Governor’s proposed budget includes $58.7 million for TEAM Act agencies’ performance pay and $32.7 million for TEAM Act performance bonuses. There is also 13.7M included for non-TEAM Act salary increases.
For Higher Education, there is also funding for salary increases. However, it is not presented as a single line item in this year’s budget document; instead, it is allocated by institution. We are still gathering those details and will provide more information in an upcoming update.
We have also added two new bills to our list of supported legislation:
SB322/HB915 (Massey/Sparks) – Employee Leave to Care for a Family Member with a Serious Health Condition
- Similar to SB938/HB957, this bill grants an eligible employee up to six (6) workweeks of leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Leave may be taken on a reduced schedule or intermittently, as provided under FMLA.
SB1285/HB1312 (Johnson/Lamberth) – Bereavement Leave for Certain State Officers and Employees
- This legislation seeks to expand the State’s bereavement leave policy, granting additional leave to employees who lose certain family members.
For more details about these and the other bills we are supporting, please visit the link below.
Additionally, we attended a few committee meetings this week, including the Senate State and Local Government Committee hearing, where the Tennessee Department of Correction presented its budget and highlighted efforts to reduce correctional officer vacancies by offering more competitive salaries.
While there was minimal movement on the legislation we are working to advance, we are optimistic about the weeks ahead and will continue to advocate for our legislative priorities. Stay tuned for further updates as committee discussions pick up.
Legislative Bills
CLICK HERE for the lastest update to legislation we are working to advance as part of our 2025 legislative agenda.
Additional bills may be added to this list as the legislative session progresses.
TSEA’s 2025 Legislative Agenda
- Supporting 6 weeks of paid leave if an employee becomes a foster parent to a minor child.
- Permanently increase the 401K match to $100.
- Initiate clarifications to the TEAM Act.
- Removing the TCRS cap of 3% to aid in more adequate COLA adjustments for retirees, when state funding is better.
- Expand funding for students with intellectual disabilities.
- Restore Longevity.
Additional items:
- Higher Ed: Work with state higher education institutions to standardize definitions and ensure the inclusion of professional staff in grievance policies across all public colleges and universities.
- Continue supporting the funding of market research/studies for employee pay increases.
Other Concerns Being Researched:
- Compression from salary range movement.
- Unfair hiring practices within some departments in state government.
- Contracting Practices
- Implementation of TDOT’s EPIC (Empowering People Influencing Culture) and hazardous pay via activity codes.
Important Links to Bookmark
- Legislative Schedules and Calendars: Stay updated on session schedules and access livestream links by visiting the Legislative Schedules and Calendars page.
- Find Your Elected Legislator: Use your address to locate your representatives here.
- House Members Directory: View the full list of House members.
- Senate Members Directory: View the full list of Senate members.
- Bills We’re Advancing or Monitoring: Stay informed about legislation we’re supporting or tracking by visiting the 2025 Legislation page.
- Legislative Updates: Access our weekly insights and highlights as they are published here.
- TSEA Historical Legislative Accomplishments: CLICK HERE to view TSEA’s Historical Legislative Accomplishments and complete Lobby Record.
Lobby Day
Our 2025 Lobby Day will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Nashville, TN. Information was sent to chapter officers this week. Officers, check your inbox for registration details.
If you are not a chapter officer and are interested in attending Lobby Day, please contact your chapter for more details (your field rep can put you in contact with your local chapter leadership).
Don’t know your field rep and/or chapter information? Visit the chapter page on our website and select the county where you live using the dropdown box to learn your chapter and for your field rep’s contact information. https://tseaonline.org/chapters/
Northeast Legislative Breakfast
TSEA is excited to announce we are holding the Northeast Regional Legislative Breakfast in Elizabethton on Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
Our regional legislative events allow TSEA members to hear directly from their state legislators in person and in their own communities. These events allow our members priority access to their state elected officials outside their hectic state legislature schedules.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
TSEA’s Northeast TN Legislative Event
Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025
9:00 a.m.
Elizabethton TCAT
426 Highway 91 North
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Questions about the Northeast Legislative Breakfast?
CLICK HERE to email Bryan Merritt
