Delivering for
District 11
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As Chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee, Bo helps oversee Tennessee's state budget and how taxpayer dollars are spent. He works to keep government spending responsible while investing in priorities like education, healthcare, transportation, and public safety.
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Bo passed a law to improve Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements, a type of tax incentive that helps attract new businesses and jobs. The law requires counties to be involved in certain PILOT decisions, helping protect local taxpayers' dollars, preserve county tax revenue, and make sure communities have a voice in how these tax incentives are used.
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Instead of letting millions of dollars in available federal funding go unused, Bo helped put those resources to work for Tennessee families. The Tennessee Opportunity Act uses existing federal funding to support childcare, job training, and other programs that help people gain independence while making better use of taxpayer resources.
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Tennessee became the first state in the nation to protect musicians, artists, and other creators from AI voice cloning through the ELVIS Act. Bo helped lead the effort to protect one of Tennessee's most important industries.
Protecting Conservative Values
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Police K-9s play an important role in keeping Tennessee communities safe. Bo passed legislation allowing injured K-9s to receive emergency medical care and transportation when they are hurt in the line of duty.
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Bo is a strong supporter of volunteer first responders across Hamilton County. He regularly attends volunteer fire hall breakfasts to meet with firefighters, listen to their concerns, and support the first responders who keep our communities safe.
Strengthening Public Safety
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Tennessee's new student-centered school funding formula helps ensure schools receive funding based on the needs of their students. As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Bo played a key leadership role in passing TISA, increasing state investment in public education and providing additional support for students who need it most.
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Believing every child deserves a strong start, Bo created the Literacy Summit to bring together educators, parents, and community leaders. The event promotes early reading skills and helps more children succeed in school.
Improving Education
Investing in Infrastructure & Transportation
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For decades, the I-24/I-75 interchange has been one of Tennessee's busiest and most congested roadways. Bo helped secure funding to rebuild the interchange, improving safety, reducing traffic delays, and making travel easier for thousands of drivers each day.
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For years, mandatory vehicle emissions testing cost Tennessee drivers time and money. Bo eliminated the requirement in Hamilton County and several Middle Tennessee counties, making vehicle registration faster, easier, and less expensive.
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The Chattanooga Zoo is one of our community's favorite family destinations. Bo secured $5 million in state funding for a new veterinary hospital, improving animal care while supporting education, conservation, and tourism.
Improving Access to Healthcare
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Tennessee firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. Bo expanded cancer coverage by adding prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancer to the state's presumptive coverage law, making it easier for firefighters diagnosed with job-related cancer to receive the care and benefits they deserve.
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When facing a life-threatening illness, every option matters. Bo helped pass Tennessee's Right to Try law, giving eligible patients access to promising treatments when no other options are available.
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Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a physical therapist, Bo passed legislation to modernize Tennessee's physical therapy laws and make it easier for patients to receive care. The law expanded referral options, reduced unnecessary barriers, and helped patients get treatment more quickly.
“My priority as state senator is improving quality of life for all Tennesseans”
— Senator Bo Watson
