NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following excerpts ahead of his final State of the State address that will be delivered tonight at 6 p.m. CST in the House Chamber of the Tennessee State Capitol.

Tennesseans are invited to view a preview video that highlights the state's incredible success and bright future.

Tennessee: The Original Frontier

Throughout our nation's 250 years, historians have called Tennessee "The Original Frontier"... Just like the continuous building of a more perfect union, the work of a frontiersman never stops, and ours should not stop either.

Education Freedom

Last year, we gave families school choice with the Education Freedom Scholarship program, because parents know best. Clearly, Tennesseans like freedom. Last year, we received more than 40,000 applications, and this year, 54,000 applications so far for 20,000 spots. That means, right now, 34,000 students are still waiting for a shot at Education Freedom. We owe it to them.

Generational Change in Memphis

From day one, we have looked for opportunities to create lasting change in [Memphis], a city that is more than worth fighting for… the Memphis Safe Task Force has fostered an unprecedented collaboration between local, state and federal partners that is nothing short of extraordinary. The federal resources delivered by the Trump Administration, the dozens of agencies working side-by-side, the relentless bipartisanship that has proven all the critics wrong - this herculean effort has, in fact, created generational change in Memphis.

Rural Health Transformation

The Rural Health Transformation Fund has given us an opportunity that we have to make certain we do not miss. In order to be eligible for these federal dollars, Tennessee must take legislative action to make it easier for medical professionals to practice and easier for rural healthcare facilities to operate.

Leading the Nation in Economic Development

2025 marked a standout year for economic development, with more than $11 billion invested in our state….Tennessee is competing with nearly every neighboring state for these jobs, but no other state matches the opportunity found here. That's the story we hear from countless business leaders around the world. They want to invest in a state that matches the momentum of their company, and that's Tennessee.

Fiscal Responsibility Means More Opportunity for Tennesseans

Fiscal responsibility may not make headlines, but it's the number one reason why Tennessee is leading the pack. We balance our budget, we grow our savings, we spend wisely, and we cut taxes…This disciplined approach that you have taken has earned Tennessee a triple-AAA bond rating for the last decade - proof that smart management keeps our state strong. And what does that mean? 300,000 new jobs that are more than a timecard and more than a paycheck. Every new job created is an opportunity for a better life, not only for the Tennessean who is employed, but also for their spouse, for their children, and a hope and a future for their grandchildren.

Advancing Tennessee's Nuclear Legacy

Tennessee was just named the #1 state for nuclear energy development, and it's clear why. Tennessee's Nuclear Fund that you helped create has already recruited $8 billion in investment from leading nuclear companies around the world, creating thousands of new jobs, and more are on the way…That legacy lives on today at the Clinch River Site, where five years ago we set out to be the first state in America to build a small modular reactor, and now it appears that Tennessee will be that state.