BY ANDY SPEARS
Bill Lee has just celebrated 100 days as Governor.
Truth is, there’s not much to celebrate.
Sure, every Saturday, Lee dresses up in his farm clothes and gives an update while attempting to be “relatable” to everyday Tennesseans.
Here’s the deal: Someone has to hold Governor Lee accountable for getting results.
Immediately after the State of the State, Tennessee Citizen Action pointed out the facts:
In Tennessee, everything that should be down is up and everything that should be up is down. Sadly, 100 days in, that’s still true. Lee’s first legislative session is near the end, and things are only getting worse.
Fact is, Tennessee leads the nation in rural hospital closures.
Our state is facing the devastating impacts of the Opioid Crisis.
There are now 21 Tennessee counties without an emergency room.
300,000 Tennesseans could have access to healthcare with Medicaid Expansion.
No matter how Bill Lee tries to spin it, the fact is: His first 100 days have been a failure.
That’s right, Governor Lee has failed Tennessee.
Tennessee has more citizens working for the minimum wage per capita than any other state.
Our Comptroller says schools are underfunded by at least $500 million.
Payday predators are on the prowl with no restriction on their usurious practices.
Voter registration has been criminalized.
It’s just plain cruel.
Bill Lee’s lack of leadership is a moral failure that negatively impacts Tennessee families while shifting state dollars to private groups and Lee’s donors and friends.
Under Bill Lee, Tennessee is in crisis. That means the time for action is now!
We don’t need more cute farm videos.
We need leadership.
TNCA is committed to a bold vision for a better Tennessee.
When our elected leaders fail us, we’ll hold them accountable.
(Andy Spears is affiliated with Tennessee Citizen Action Public, which works in the public interest as Tennessee’s premier consumer rights organization. Its mission is to work to improve the overall health, well-being, and quality of life for all people who live and work in Tennessee.)