"If we've got a $1 billion surplus, we're obviously taking too much
away from the public," said state Sen. Frank Nicely, a Strawberry Plains
Republican told WBIR 10News.
Tennessee lawmakers expect to decide this session how to spend $925
million in extra money this year. It marks the third straight year the
state has taken in more money than expected.
State Sen. Doug Overby, R-Maryville, doesn't think the total will end up being quite that high once other expenses come out.
"A lot has been made of having a budget surplus. The fact of the matter
is, in any given year, there are some natural increases in the state
budget," Overby said.
He said increases in Basic Education Program funding and TennCare typically take some of the surplus.
But there will still likely be money available at the lawmakers' discretion to spend.
"I think we have to look at spending it wisely. As the Governor said,
'Let's not be stupid rich, let's be smart rich,'" said state Rep. Eddie
Smith, a Knoxville Republican.
Many lawmakers agree two major needs deserve priority: education and road improvements.
"I would like to see teachers get a raise, K-12 teachers, and I'd like
to see some of that surplus going toward road construction or road
maintenance," said state Rep. Martin Daniel, a Knoxville Republican.
Niceley and other representatives didn't go into specifics, but suggest
lawmakers should find a way to return the money to the taxpayers.
"I'd like to give it back to the people," said Nicely.
"I want to know what is the mechanism to not collect so much that we
have a surplus because that means we're over collecting somewhere," said
state Rep. Roger Kane, a Knoxville Republican.
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