Cutting red tape in state government is the way forward
Tennessee has a reputation for efficiency.
No other state has accomplished what we have been accomplishing to make government run more smoothly.
In Gov. Bill Lee’s sixth annual State of the State address to the Tennessee General Assembly earlier this month, he emphasized the importance of continuing to make our state government leaner and more efficient. As the governor stated, we will repeal or streamline 40% of all existing rules and regulations in Tennessee.
This will be the most-significant elimination of government red tape anywhere in our nation.
This effort comes as a result of legislation I sponsored in 2021. After finding several outdated and inefficient rules on our books, I introduced House Bill 566 to encourage our state boards and agencies to review and update or abolish outdated rules and policies that just didn’t make sense.
Many of them were decades old – going back to the 1960s and 1970s. Some were older than that.
This law required agencies to clean house, and the result is 4,000 rules being streamlined or repealed. This massive refinement of government operations is further proof that Tennessee is leading the nation and will continue to do so for years to come.
The Volunteer State consistently ranks among the best-managed and most fiscally responsible states in the country. This is because of good governance and the hard work and determination of all Tennesseans who contribute to our economy and society.
Our state has been ranked one of the best places to start and run a business and one of the most popular to move to. People vote with their feet, and they are moving to Tennessee because we are thriving under an increasingly more efficient state government and lower taxes.
Under Republican leadership, the General Assembly in the past decade has cut more than $2.5 billion in taxes. Just last year, we cut taxes by $400 million for families and small businesses with the passage of the Tennessee Works Tax Reform Act. This legislation boosted our state’s economic competitiveness and incentivized businesses to hire Tennesseans and establish headquarters here.
In addition to this tax cut, the legislature made important investments in education, modern transportation networks and violent crime intervention. Combined with the work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit of Tennesseans, these successes have allowed our state to prosper.
Our record, contrasted with the federal government’s wasteful spending and expansive red tape, shows how essential government efficiency is for prosperity and quality of life.
I will continue pushing for low taxes, reduced regulations and a more- efficient government as long as I’m in the legislature. Thank you for electing me to represent you in Nashville and for working hard to make our state the best in the country.
With your help, Tennessee can continue on this positive trajectory.
State Rep. John Ragan represents House District 33, which includes part of Anderson County.
