Republican Gov. Bill Haslam gave his annual State of the State address to a joint convention of the Tennessee General Assembly on Monday.
Yet, before lawmakers could enter the House Chambers, they faced hundreds of people protesting proposed bills and President Trump's recent immigrant ban executive order.
Several of the signs we are seeing. @NC5 pic.twitter.com/7Uu1pTRv5Z
— Matthew Torres (@NC5_MTorres) January 30, 2017
Chants of “this is what democracy looks like” could be heard inside the chambers. Many people came with signs touting their concerns.
The efforts were organized by several grassroots groups with the help of social media. Some participants said they are concerned about President Trump’s recent immigration actions, but many said they were focused on several proposed bills in the upcoming Tennessee legislative session. Their main message was that they plan to watch legislators closely.
“It’s really just to tell them we’re here to stay,” said Caleb Banks. “They can’t shut us down.”
Participants said some of the specific bills they were concerned about targeted LGBT rights, reproductive rights, immigrants’ rights, guns and education.
While Governor Haslam did not acknowledge the protesters during his speech, afterwards, some lawmakers commented on their efforts.
“They represent an extreme minority,” said Rep. Glen Casada, a Republican representing the 63rd district. “They are welcome. We like people to come and present their ideas.”
I'm not sure I've ever seen this many protestors inside the Tennessee Capitol before - chanting "Haslam can you hear us" @NC5 pic.twitter.com/RAIybPeWGF
— Chris Conte (@NC5_ChrisConte) January 30, 2017
“I think we know people are concerned about the future,” said Sen. Jeff Yarbro, a Democrat who represents the 21st district. “I was disappointed the Governor did not provide more leadership on that tonight.”
Gov. Haslam proposed a $37 billion annual state budget for Tennessee. He proposed
the state's first gas tax hike since 1989 to help boost transportation funding in a state with a more than $10 billion backlog of road and bridge projects.
The governor wants to offset the about $280 million his roads plan would generate with tax cuts in other areas.
Haslam also wants to dedicate $45 million in grants and tax credits to encourage commercial providers to offer broadband internet in rural areas.
Durring his address Haslam extended his free community college tuition program to Tennessee adults. It's called the Tennessee Reconnect Act.
Haslam said the program is key toward his goal of increasing the percentage of people with higher education degrees to 55 percent by the year 2025. The current rate is about 39 percent.
The plan would be open to any adult who has lived in Tennessee for at least a year and does not have an associate's or bachelor's degree.
"The Tennessee we can be provides access to opportunity and tools to be successful," he told the crowd.
About 900,000 adults in Tennessee have attended some college, but have no degree.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were quick to react to Governor Haslam's speech.
"The governor's plan is viable but there's other ideas and I look forward to seeing the process move through committee," said Glen Casada, a Republican who represents Williamson County.
"I had hoped there would've been something that would keep us moving as fast as we have been with Pre-K-12," House Democratic minority leader Craig Fitzhugh said.
