PROBLEM STATEMENTS:

(a) The State of Tennessee has not treated all of its citizens equally and equitably. Every Tennessean should have access to basic needs. The Resurrection of Hope Plan's main goal is to “Make Tennessee Whole Again”, thus addressing the holistic aspect of each Tennessean, whether you are a child, adult, senior citizen, veteran, disabled person, unhoused individual, drug user, farmer, business owner, ex-felon, domestic violence individual, family of an unalive person, native, transplant or immigrant, Tennessee will be a place where you will be welcome with open arms.

(b) The poorest counties in Tennessee, often classified as "distressed" by the Appalachian Regional Commission and state officials, are generally identified by low median household incomes, high poverty rates, and low employment, with Hancock, Grundy, and Lake consistently ranking among the lowest.

(c) We must protect our farmers and farmland. There will be a priority to address economic and housing disparities in these rural counties, which will include sustaining Tennessee farms. Farm preservation must be a priority, which is one of our greatest assets in this Volunteer State. Our natural resources should not be concrete jungles of data centers, detention centers, and manufacturing companies that bring low-paying jobs.

(d) These rural counties, deemed the poorest counties in Tennessee, will be my highest priorities to effect change to bring about equitable funding to give all Tennesseans life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

1. Hancock County: Often cited as having the lowest median household income in the state.

2. Grundy County: Consistently ranked among the poorest, with high poverty and low median income

3. Lake County: Frequently listed as distressed due to low-income levels.

4. Perry County

5. Clay County

6. Bledsoe County

7. Scott County

8. Cocke County

9. Hardeman County

10. Haywood County

11. Pickett County

PROBLEM AREAS OF CONCERN:

Food insecurity affects roughly 1 in 6 Tennesseans (approximately 1.1 million people), including over 20% of children, with higher rates in rural areas and areas with limited grocery access. The state faces significant food deserts, with 14% of residents, including high rates of Black and Hispanic families, struggling with consistent access to nutritious, affordable food.

Key Issues in Tennessee Food Accessibility

High Insecurity Rates: In 2023, Tennessee's food insecurity rate was around 11.7% to 17.4%, with some sources citing higher rates depending on the study, impacting over 400,000 households.

Rural and Urban Deserts: For too long, rural counties have been overlooked and neglected, which will be a priority for Atwater’s administration. Many areas, particularly in Western Tennessee, such as Haywood, Lauderdale, Shelby, Hardeman, and Lake counties, lack easy access to grocery stores, often termed "food deserts". Rural areas specifically face challenges with limited transport options to reach food sources. Food Kiosks will be erected in these rural communities.

Child and Family Impact: Data indicates 19.7% to 20.7% of children in Tennessee experience food insecurity, which is higher than the national average.

Disproportionate Impact: Food insecurity disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, with roughly 28% of Black individuals and 23% of Latino individuals experiencing it compared to 13% of white individuals, according to a 2023 report. Access to food should be a human right, and no child or elder will go to bed hungry on Atwater’s watch. All TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) will be released to meet the needs of these Tennesseans. Human decency and humanity start with the Governor of the State of Tennessee.

As the next Governor of the State of Tennessee, I will support programs and resources to encourage the health and well-being of all Tennesseans; therefore, I will accept the $80 Million in federal funds to ensure Tennesseans are fed.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Provides monthly benefits to eligible households to purchase food.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Offers nutrition education, referrals, and support for low-income pregnant women, postpartum individuals, and children under five. Women and children in Tennessee should never be food insecure.

Food Pantries and Food Banks: Organizations such as the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee and various local nonprofits act as essential, immediate sources of nutrition during times of crisis.

School and Summer Programs: Schools and community partners offer free and reduced-price lunches, along with special summer meal programs for children, such as Summer EBT.

Housing

Tennessee is facing a severe housing accessibility crisis, with a shortage of nearly 127,000 affordable rental units for low-income households, driven by rapid population growth, low construction rates, and rising costs. Only 39 affordable units exist for every 100 extremely low-income households, heavily impacting people with disabilities, seniors, and renters.

Key details regarding the lack of housing accessibility in Tennessee include:

Extreme Shortages & Costs: In Tennessee, 84% of low-income renters are cost-burdened (spending >30% of income on housing), with the state needing over 121,000 more rental homes for extremely low-income households.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations: One in four adults with disabilities in Tennessee lives in poverty, and a one-bedroom apartment often costs more than the total monthly income for those on Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Physical Accessibility Gaps: Beyond affordability, there is a severe lack of physically accessible housing, with many, even new, multi-family units failing to meet federal accessibility standards.

Urban & Rural Challenges: Rising demand and low inventory have increased competition, driving up costs in both expanding urban centers like Nashville (which needs 9,000 new units annually) and rural communities.

Contributing Factors: Key drivers include rising construction costs, high-interest rates, and zoning regulations that have not kept pace with housing demand.

Solutions and Actions: Government bodies and advocates are utilizing housing trust funds, tax credits, and increased community development efforts to address the crisis, but working-class families are being left out of the loophole, thus widening the gap of generational wealth for all Tennesseans, especially underserved, marginalized, and rural communities. In Tennessee, finding a safe, affordable home is hard for many people. It is especially hard for people with disabilities and older adults who often live on fixed incomes like Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI). One in four adults with disabilities in Tennessee lives in poverty. Rural families will be at the table of prosperity in this administration.

Livable Wages

As the next potential Governor of the State of Tennessee, we must work hand in hand to address the hypocrisy of allowing Tennesseans to work under slave wages, while billionaires get rich off the backs of the working class. We need a bold Governor to say enough is enough, and I am the woman for that job! Atwater for Governor 2026.

The Reality of the Affordability Crisis

A living wage in Tennessee for a single adult is approximately $21.61 per hour ($44,948 annually), while a "stability wage" in high-cost areas like Nashville exceeds $33/hour. While the minimum wage is $7.25/hour, rising costs for housing and childcare mean a single adult in Nashville needs over $52,000 annually for basic needs.

Living Wage Estimates (Approximate)

Single Adult (No Kids): Approx. $21–$22 per hour ($42,000–$45,000/year).

Family of Four (2 Adults, 2 Kids): Far higher, often exceeding $100,000 annually to cover childcare and housing.

Nashville Area: A "survival wage" is $19.20–$21.20/hour, while a "stability wage" (comfortable living) is estimated at $33.65/hour or over $111,000/year for a single adult.

Key Factors

Regional Differences: Costs are higher in metropolitan areas like Nashville, Davidson County, compared to rural areas.

Cost Drivers: Housing, childcare, and healthcare are the primary expenses driving the need for higher wages.

Minimum Wage vs. Living Wage: The state minimum wage is $7.25/hour. There are active pushes for a $20/hour minimum wage, which proponents argue is closer to a true living wage.

Income Gap: Many households, particularly in areas like Southeast Davidson County, earn below the required survival threshold.

A livable wage in Tennessee for a single adult is approximately $21.61 per hour (about $44,900 annually), according to MIT's Living Wage Calculator. This covers basic necessities, but costs vary by location, with high-demand areas like Nashville requiring higher, as indicated by Nashville Living Wage.

Key Livable Wage Data for Tennessee (2026):

• Individual (1 Adult, 0 Children): ~$21.61/hour ($44,948/year).

• Family (2 Adults, 2 Children): ~$35.60+/hour (approximate, based on $14.59/hr per adult, 0 children, and higher cost-of-living data).

• Metro Differences: In Nashville, a "survival wage" for a single adult is estimated at $19.20–$21.20/hour, with a "stability wage" much higher at $33.65/hr.

• Minimum Wage: The state relies on the federal minimum of $7.25/hour. 

Utility Cost

Tennessee is experiencing a surge in utility costs, with residents facing some of the highest electricity rate increases in the U.S. (11.6%–12.1% spike as of 2025–2026). Despite lower rates per kilowatt-hour, high usage, poor home energy efficiency, and high rates of poverty, high energy burdens lead to high electricity bills, making electricity bills one of the most expensive in the nation.

Key Findings on Tennessee Utility Costs:

• High Costs & Consumption: Tennessee ranks among the top 10 states where residents spend the highest percentage of their income on energy bills, with over 169,000 low-income households paying nearly one-third of their income on electricity.

• Rate Surges: As of August 2025, Tennessee electricity rates reached 13.88 cents per kilowatt-hour, increasing by over 12% in a year.

• Surrounding Factors: The Southeast region, including Tennessee, faces high energy burdens driven by low energy efficiency standards and inefficient housing.

• Utility Breakdown: Many reports show that average monthly utility costs including electricity, water, and gas rank Tennessee 16th most expensive in the U.S. at roughly $406.52 per month.

• Reliability Issues: Reports found the state ranks poorly in power reliability, with 50th for frequency of outages and 46th for duration. 

Drivers of High Bills:

High Usage: High electricity consumption due to extreme summer heat and winter cold increases overall demand.

Energy Inefficiency: Many homes in Tennessee lack adequate insulation and energy-efficient appliances, resulting in higher consumption for heating and cooling.

Low-Income Burden: A large percentage of income is spent on power, particularly in areas like Memphis, which historically reports high energy burdens for residents.

As the next Governor of the State of Tennessee, Atwater's holistic approach to this high-energy burden will be to look for alternative solutions to address the high cost of living.

With the assistance of the federal government and the state, this Governor will be investing in solar energy projects to assist low-income and rural communities. The use of solar panels, solar farms, windmills, corn, and soybean-powered alternatives. Solar power is an alternative for reducing high electricity bills.

School

As the next potential Governor of the State of Tennessee, I will not submit to school vouchers taking funds from Public Schools. I also have the belief that all children on the soil of the United States deserve a free and quality education, including immigrant children. Affluent parents should not be receiving funds from public schools. School vouchers are a ploy to dismantle public schools, which are secured under the U.S. Constitution.

Tennessee has shown significant improvement, rising to the national average in student achievement and ranking 14th in Education Week rankings for K-12 education in 2025. Known for strong academic standards and high-performing math/reading scores, the state also boasts a high graduation rate (89.1%) and robust, free community college initiatives (TN Promise).

Public schools in Tennessee offer robust state-mandated curriculum standards, improved test scores, and growing, high-performing charter options. However, they face significant challenges, including low safety rankings, teacher shortages, and inconsistent funding that causes overcrowding in some districts.

Pros of Tennessee Public Schools

Academic Improvement: Tennessee has shown strong recovery, ranking 3rd in math and 9th in reading improvements among states between 2019 and 2024.

Charter Schools: 120 charter schools exist, offering alternatives that, according to The Beacon Center of Tennessee, provide students with significant learning gains in math and reading, especially for low-income and special needs students. Many of these schools have closed.

Supportive Environment: Many teachers report positive school climates and feel supported by administrators, with high percentages stating instructional time is protected, according to TN.gov.

Choice Options: The expansion of school options through programs like Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) allows more families to seek tailored education for their children.

Cons of Tennessee Public Schools

Safety Issues: A study indicated that Tennessee ranks near the bottom (No. 45) in school safety, factoring in bullying, violence, and disciplinary issues.

Funding and Resources: Schools often face funding issues leading to overcrowded classrooms and limited access to technology.

Discipline Disparities: Concerns have been raised regarding punitive discipline policies, particularly for students with special needs and disabilities.

Teacher Shortages: The state is struggling with widespread teacher shortages, which hinder classroom effectiveness.

Performance Gaps: While improving, average student achievement in some areas remains below pre-pandemic levels.

Key Considerations from Atwater’s Administration. I will make public schools a priority and secure adequate funding for school districts that have been left out of progressive funding.

Voucher Expansion: The 2024-2025 passage of universal school vouchers (Education Freedom Act) allows public funds to go toward private schools, which supporters argue improves accountability, but many Tennesseans fear this will reduce funding for public schools. As the next potential Governor of the State of Tennessee, I do not support school vouchers because of the disparities.

Regional Variation: Quality of education varies significantly by district, often depending on local funding and resources.

Key Education Highlights in Tennessee:

National Performance: Tennessee students have outperformed the national average in reading and math, with significant gains in 4th-grade reading and 8th-grade math proficiency.

Graduation Rate & Performance: The state has reached its highest-ever graduation rate (89.1%) and highest average ACT score (20.1).

Policy Reforms: The state has implemented aggressive educational reforms, resulting in high academic standards and reduced learning gaps.

Higher Education: In addition to K-12 improvements, Tennessee offers popular programs like Tennessee Promise, which provides tuition-free access to community college.

Challenges: Despite these gains, Tennessee ranks 37th overall for child well-being, suggesting improvements in school performance have not yet fully translated into overall child welfare.

Healthcare Accessibility

Tennessee’s healthcare system ranks in the bottom ten states (44th) for overall health, facing significant challenges with access, high costs, and poor outcomes, including low rankings in chronic disease and high rates of rural hospital closures. The state is combating this with rural health initiatives, TennCare reforms, and reforming the certificate of need process to increase competition.

Key Aspects of Healthcare in Tennessee

• Ranking & Outcomes: Tennessee consistently ranks around 44th out of 50 states for overall health, with high levels of chronic disease, frequent mental distress, and smoking rates.

• Rural Healthcare Challenges: Rural areas face serious shortages of providers and facilities, which will lead to the establishment of the Tennessee RURAL (Rural Unified Recovery Agency Lifeline) Health Care Task Force.

• Access & Cost: Over 70% of residents reported concerns over the cost of care, with many delaying treatment due to costs, as reported in the Healthcare Value Hub survey.

• Hospital Closures: With 13 hospital closures since 2010, the state has one of the highest numbers of closures in the nation, says Access to Care For Tennessee.

• Insurance Coverage: Employer-sponsored insurance remains the primary source of coverage, while TennCare (state Medicaid) covers low-income individuals and has seen enrollment grow due to an aging population.

• Policy Reforms: Lawmakers are actively working to reform the "Certificate of Need" laws to allow more competition and improve access to care. This move will be disastrous for the healthcare field.

• Innovations: Under the administration of Atwater, there will be numerous out-of-the-box implementation initiatives like "Tennessee Health Link" and "Patient-Centered Medical Homes" to improve care quality through TennCare and various other healthcare incentives.

Childcare

State of the Child report: Childcare in Tennessee costs more than in-state college tuition. Tennessee's State of the Child report reveals progress in education and highlights severe school infrastructure needs and child poverty.

In 2025, the report found the median price for infant center-based childcare was $13,926 a year, making it more expensive than in-state tuition at all four of the state's public universities.

For many Tennessee parents, the cost of childcare is no longer just another monthly bill — it’s a financial breaking point.

New data from the 2025 State of the Child in Tennessee report shows that childcare costs continue to rise across the state, often exceeding what families pay for housing, and in some cases even outpacing the cost of college tuition.

According to the report, the state's child population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Non-Hispanic white children represent 61% of the child population. The report also found that one in 10 children lives with a grandparent as the head of household and over a third lives in rental housing.

As for child poverty, the report showed rates slightly decreased from 2023 to 19.1% but remain higher than the national average. According to the report, poverty among children under the age of 5 fell to 18.1%, the lowest number in a decade, according to the report.

For toddlers, annual care can still cost more than $10,000 a year, depending on location and type of provider.

The report notes that for many families, particularly single-income households, childcare is now the single largest household expense, costing more than rent or a mortgage in some cases.

How Tennessee compares to other states

Data from Child Care Aware of America, which tracks childcare costs nationwide, shows Tennessee falls near the middle compared to other states — but that does not mean families here are spared.

Tennessee: About $12,000 a year for center-based infant care

Mississippi: About $8,200 a year

Alabama: About $8,800 a year

Kentucky: Around $9,700 a year

Transportation