Greene County will receive about $96.9 million in state appropriations during the current 2009-10 fiscal year, according to State Rep. Eddie Yokley.
That total will find its way into Greene County through various state agencies and programs.
The appropriations will include 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.
The state government, Yokley said, this year balanced its budget by:
* making over $750 million in reductions;
* using a significant amount of one-time funding;
* not raising taxes;
* taking money from the state's Highway Fund;
* not taking state-shared taxes away from local governments.
"This budget was developed under the shadow of an unprecedented downturn in the economy," Yokley said in the release.
"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," said the Greene County legislator. "Difficult decisions had to be made to ensure this budget would be balanced within expected revenues."
APPROPRIATIONS
Rep. Yokley listed budgeted state appropriations benefiting Greene County in the following general categories:
* $41,230,900 for edcuation (kindergarten through 12th grade); $6,505,700 in state shared tax collections;
* $31,061,800 for health and social services;
* $6,530,300 for justice and public safety;
* $2,882,300 for recreation and resources development;
* $ 4,531,200 for economic development and higher education;
* $3,226,100 for state highway projects.
He said there also was $975,000 from the state for capital outlay projects for Greene 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," Yokley said.
"We will continue to protect the (state's) Basic Education Program (BEP) from any of the reductions that are occurring throughout state government right now. Greene County maintained BEP funding of approximately $27,734,600 and $10,605,100 for Greeneville City Schools."
Yokley's release said that Health and Social Services' appropriations benefiting Greene County residents include $2,720,800 for community mental retardation programs; $5,020,200 for children's services; and $1,531,900 for health services, with $20,490,900 of the health funds for TennCare.
Yokley added, "Because of the revenue decline, this budget reflects some very painful decisions that impact many statewide programs. Without significant growth in revenues, additional reductions will have to occur next year as well."
