Representative Ty Cobb

Downturn in economy brings tough cuts, but budget balanced with no new taxes

Nashville, TN—Tennessee House Representative Ty Cobb (D-Columbia) announced that during the current 2009-2010 fiscal year, approximately $131,404,400 million in state appropriated expenditures will find its way into Maury County through various state agencies and programs.  Maury County will also receive a portion of the $12.1 billion in federal funds that are included in Tennessee’s $29.4 billion budget as adopted by the 106th General Assembly.

“This budget was developed under the shadow of an unprecedented downturn in the economy.  As a result, this budget, as well as the upcoming budget will be reflective of a shrinking government as we work to balance a budget that has lost over $1.2 billion in state tax revenue,” Cobb said. “Difficult decisions had to be made to ensure this budget would be balanced within expected revenues.“

Representative Cobb listed budgeted state appropriations benefiting Maury County in the following general categories: $43,431,900 million (Kindergarten through 12th grade);

$10,962,100 million in state shared tax collections; $30,343,700 million for health and social services; $5,828,000 million for justice and public safety; $2,375,100 million for recreation and resources development; $35,932,300 million for Economic Development and Higher Education; and $2,191,300 million for state highway projects.  There were also $ 340,000 dollars budgeted  for Capital Outlay for Maury County.

“Even though state revenue has decreased, many of my colleagues and I in the Legislature are committed to maintaining funding support for the K-12 funding formula,” Cobb said.  “As we struggle to maintain a balanced budget, I intend to continue to minimize this impact on the many vital state funded programs and services now present in Maury County.”

This year’s balanced budget was achieved through a number of important decisions including:

• § Making over $750 million in reductions
• § Using a significant amount of one-time funding
• § NOT raising taxes
• § NOT taking money away from the Highway Fund
• § NOT taking State-shared taxes away from local governments

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