RECENT ACTIVITIES:
Guns-in-Parks:
Senator Lee Harris and I recently hosted a roundtable discussion on the controversial guns-in-parks bill passed earlier this year. This event was a first step in our efforts to amend the law, as necessary, to ensure that our sports and entertainment venues are safe and to protect our families and local economy. Participants included concerned business leaders, parents, law enforcement officials, special event organizers and security personnel, municipal attorneys, a sheriff, and a representative from the Metro Sports Authority.
USA Today;
Memphis Commercial Appeal;
Chattanooga Times Free Press;
WKRN;
NewsChannel5;
Fox17;
The LedgerInsure Tennessee:
This summer, my Democratic colleagues and I, along with
Congressman Jim Cooper and local hospital and business leaders, have continued our
efforts to pass
Insure Tennessee. Following the Supreme Court’s
ruling on the ACA and with hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans falling in the insurance “coverage gap,” this remains our top legislative priority. Passing Insure Tennessee makes sense in every respect, including but not limited to job security, economic growth, access to quality, affordable healthcare, and fiscal responsibility.
Offensive DUI Campaign:
Recently, I
called on the Governor to disavow an offensive DUI campaign, and it was soon
cancelled. Unfortunately, the actual costs of this inappropriate DUI campaign were
discovered to far exceed the amounts initially disclosed.
Children’s Food & Nutrition Program:
I also recently
led an effort among Democratic leaders to call for an oversight hearing on allegations of mismanagement and under-staffing at the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ food nutrition program. The chairmen of our Joint Government Operations Committee, one of the last remaining legislative oversight committees, responded to inform us that they would not oblige our request, because the Senate Finance Committee was to hold a hearing. As expected, the Senate hearing featured some alarming
admissions, and it can be viewed in its entirety
here.
Women’s Health:
Republican legislators continued their attacks on women’s access to health services by conducting what I referred to as an “
affront to the public process.” After the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health confirmed that they regularly inspect licensed ASTC’s across Tennessee and that there was
no reason to suspect that any criminal laws had been broken, Republicans allowed two congresswomen to make false accusations and take “
pot shots” at women’s health care facilities that receive no direct state funding and provide cancer screenings, family planning, exams and counseling to women who may not otherwise have access to such vital health care services.
2016 Legislative Package:
I have been researching various issues and drafting legislation that I intend to introduce in January 2016 when the state legislature gavels back into session. At this time, I am researching the following issues for possible legislation:
- a dedicated funding source for a local and regional mass transit system;
o last year I introduced another bill to accomplish this, and I intend to push it this year as well;
o TDOT’s needs assessment that Sen. Massey and I helped secure earlier this year will be completed in January or February 2016;
- affordable housing;
- mental health care funding;
- public works and transportation infrastructure funding;
- child safety; and
- transportation modernization;
- entrepreneurial innovation; and,
- public safety concerning emergency responders.
If you have ideas for legislation or issues that may be resolved through the rules/administrative process, please
email or call me at (615) 741-4410.
FOLLOWING LOCAL ISSUES CLOSELY:
Proposed land swap for new Westmeade Elementary School. I have met with MNPS officials, as well as concerned neighbors, to discuss this proposal. While this issue is outside of my jurisdiction, I have shared my concerns about transparency and MNPS’ public engagement process moving forward.
Proposed relocation of Hillwood High School to Bellevue. I have met with MNPS officials, as well as concerned neighbors in Hillwood and concerned parents in Charlotte Park and other parts of the cluster. I have shared neighbors’ concerns about possible re-uses of the current high school property and students’ lengthened travel times on school buses. Additional public engagement on this proposal is necessary, and I expect to co-host a meeting in the coming months.
There is another opportunity for
public input on the future of Hillsboro High School at design charrette on Thursday, August 27
th.
During my meetings with elementary school teachers across District 55, the most common concern shared with me concerned the state's Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI) system that is beginning year two of implementation. To address these concerns, I recently met with officials from MNPS and the TN Department of Education to discuss how the state can possibly direct more resources to MNPS' schools, specifically non-Title I schools, to make RTI work best for our teachers and students and how the state can continue assisting our administrators and teachers in the classrooms. I will continue working to address our teachers' concerns in the coming months by working with state and local education leaders. IN THE NEWS:
The Tennessean: Democratic leaders join calls for hearing on food program failures The Ledger: ‘The Fighting 26’ Democrats work to stay relevant The Tennessean: Lawmaker asks governor to disavow new anti-DUI campaign WSMV: Documents show controversial anti-DUI campaign budgeted at $800K
Time: Tennessee Apologizes For ‘Sexist’ Anti-DUI Campaign Representative Clemmons Announces TN Arts Commission
GrantsThe Observer: Standing with the Jewish Federation of Nashville Against BDS
The Nashville Scene: How are this year's new Tennessee Democrats different from the ones they replaced? IN OTHER NEWS:
WSMV: Attacks on Morgan County correctional officers much worse than reported by TDOC
The Tennessean: Planning Commission Votes to Preserve Nashville Highlands
It was great to see so many green shirts at the MidTown Hills Police Precinct for the Metro Planning Commission Meeting. Mayor Purcell, Councilmember Evans and many others did a great job speaking on our behalf.
Nashville Scene: TDOC officers rail against Commissioner Schofield over new work schedules, low staffing
Chattanooga Times Free Press: The Governor plans to privatize the state. Privatization plans include National Guard armories, state parks, colleges and universities, prisons and hospitals.
The Tennessean: 400-unit rental community planned near Bells Bend in West Nashville TN.gov: Statewide TCAP Results at a Glance
A message from the TN Department of Education: Beginning in this school year, 2015-16, TNReady will become the state’s new TCAP test for English language arts and math in grades 3-11. In an effort to answer questions and share information about TNReady, the department has prepared a Parent Guide to TNReady, as well as a School Guide to TNReady. These guides share details about when students will take the TCAP, when results will be available, what tools and resources will be available, and what the test will actually look like.