I know… snooze city.  But there is some really useful information in these hearings. 

Did you know that TDEC’s total budget is $334.5 million dollars? Or that 23% comes from the general fund, 21% comes from the feds as pass through to programs that TDEC administers and the remaining 56% comes from fees for permits and parks concessions.  Me neither!

It looks like 6 swimming pools will be on the chopping block. But they will be replaced with splash pools. Not quite sure what a splash pool is.

Around $75 million go to local governments for drinking water and sewage water programs.

The first tier of reductions are those positions that deal with new sewage treatment plant permits.  Since development has taken a dive in recent years, those folks have little to do.

The second tier of cuts will be for abandoned mine reclamation, stream restoration and historic commission funding.  That’s too bad.  There are a number of abandoned mines and streams that need to be restored.

Parks are doing well. For every dollar invested the state makes $17.

Seems Commissioner Martineau understands that environmental programs need to be protected because there are federal monies and requirements attached to them.

Ok, maybe this is a snooze fest.

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