Dear friend,
The week ahead is full of firsts and challenges.  Tonight, if all goes as expected, I will pass my first bill in the House as your state representative.  It is a personal point of pride that my first bill is squarely focused on helping to build a sustainable city for our future with more affordable and workforce housing.  More information on the week of firsts and challenges ahead is discussed below “In the Capitol” section.  Be sure and sign the House Democratic Caucus’ petition to show your support for Equal Pay.
As I noted in my last newsletter, I met with TDOT officials in my legislative office two weeks ago to discuss the potholes on 440 and elsewhere in District 55.  As you have noticed while bumping your way down 440, most of the potholes have now been filled. Within days of my meeting, TDOT Commissioner John Schroer was personally helping fill potholes on 440. (We’ll chalk that one up to coincidence.) Through our discussions, I took the opportunity to discuss TDOT’s long-term plans for 440, including the unique challenges posed by a graded concrete roadway and the need for a long-term fix for the roadway, possibly including an upgraded asphalt surface. 
Over the last two weeks, we have been busy.  Outside of the Capitol, activities have included: hosting a great Pi Day Celebration with Councilmember Burkley Allen and MNPS officials at our home; attending an informative education seminar on standards and curriculum hosted by Vanderbilt Peabody College; speaking with state employees at a TSEA legislative dinner; visiting with neighbors at the monthly Sylvan Park Neighborhood Association meeting; celebrating women in government with my legislative colleagues and local leaders; listening to Nashville residents’ concerns about the need for affordable housing at Marth O’Bryan Center; and, most importantly, celebrating my wife’s birthday and taking my oldest son to his first Vandy Baseball game and his first t-ball practice.  
To view many of my past and future public events, check out my public schedule on our website.  
If you are hosting an event and would like for me to join you and/or include it in this newsletter, please let me know. Also, if you need assistance with any issue or require governmental assistance, please contact me.  I am here to help.  
Remember to “Like” us on Facebook, follow me on Twitter (@JRClemmons), and check out our website where you can sign up for this newsletter.  Be sure and encourage your friends and family to do the same.  
If you would like to read previous newsletters, I have posted links on my website’s Newsletter page.
Best,
John Ray 
IN THE NEWS
The Tennessean gave a brief mention to my affordable and workforce housing bills in its editorial.
The Tennessean provided an update on my principal licensure bill as it advanced last week.
SouthernAlpha highlighted a study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research on equal pay issues.
WSMV aired a story on our Tennessee Pay Equality Act last week, but I am unable to locate it online.
IN THE CAPITOL
The Inbox
The top issues about which I am receiving the most emails from constituents remain the same:
1.     Full practice authority for nurses (in support); and,
2.     Governor’s proposal to end longevity pay for state employees (against).  
Sponsored Legislation
Tonight, the first of my affordable and workforce housing bills that I authored will come before the full House for a vote.  Barring any unforeseen hurdles, I expect HB1351 to pass, and it will be my first as your state representative.  HB1174 and HB1351 passed through the House Local Government subcommittee and full committee over the last two weeks, but HB1174 got sent to the House Finance, Ways & Means committee with a positive fiscal note while HB1351 went straight to Calendar & Rules.  This is why HB1351 is reaching the House floor first.  I have worked closely with the Mayor’s Office, Metro Legal and Metro Planning Department on both bills and thank them for their ideas and assistance.  Sen. Yarbro is carrying the bills on the Senate side.
I was also able to pass my principal licensure bill through the House education administration and planning subcommittee last week, and it will go before the full committee this week.  The purpose of the bill is to prevent the State Board of Education’s denial of principal licensure to otherwise qualified individuals solely on the basis of an out-of-state masters degree. The State Board and Department of Education support the bill and, again, barring any unexpected issues, I expect my bill to move forward. Sen. Lee Harris (Memphis) is carrying the bill in the Senate. 
With respect to the challenges ahead this week, Sen. Sara Kyle (Memphis) and I have introduced the Tennessee Pay Equality Act to address the continued disparity in pay between men and women.  Over 50 years after passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act, with the Equal Pay Act (1963), and the Civil Rights Act, with Title VII (1964), women continue to only make 77 to 83 cents for every dollar made by men across Tennessee in similar jobs with similar training, education, experience and responsibilities. Legislation is necessary at the state level to create pay equity and help shatter the glass ceiling.  We expect to face an uphill battle in both the House and Senate, and the legislation may not make it out of the House Consumer and Human Resources subcommittee.   
The House Health subcommittee, on which I serve, will have multiple abortion-related bills before it this week.  As expected, the passage of Amendment 1 in November opened the floodgates to this new round of legislation. 
I encourage all of you to share your opinions on legislation with members of the House and Senate. I personally read and respond to every email sent to my legislative account, and I am told several others do as well.  Your opinions matter, and I encourage you to make your voice heard.
IN OTHER NEWS
Guns-in-parks, other gun bills advance (Tennessean)
Metro Schools gives Haslam 30 days to talk school funding (Tennessean)
Superintendents and Haslam to meet Monday (Tennessean)
Teacher evaluation bill advances in House (Tennessean)
Judge: $750k limit in tort reform unconstitutional (Tennessean) 
World of hurt: Senators who voted no on Insure TN feel activists' wrath (TFP)
After a long run in Oak Ridge, stimulus funds coming to an end (N-S)
Tennessee Education Chief Stresses Teachers are 'Valued' (AP)
Pothole repairs continue across Midstate (WSMV)
Pothole Problems: Tennessee Is Getting 10 To 20 Claims Per Day (WPLN)
New business court to be introduced in Davidson County (Nashville Post)
Capitol report: Lawmakers repeal 2001 "Intractable Pain" Act (N-S/Locker)
LOCAL EVENTS*
Sip It!
Tuesday, March 24
8:00-9:00am
Nashville Entrepreneur Center  
Nashville Mayoral Forum
Thursday, April 2
6:30-8:00pm
Hillsboro High School
 
First Day of Passover
Saturday, April 4
 Easter Sunday 
Sunday, April 5
*If you have a civic event in District 55 that you would like to have included in Working For You, please let us know.   Space is limited, but we will try to accommodate all requests.
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