IN THE NEWS
I recently authored an op-ed on the immediacy of the serious transportation problems facing our city and region, and it was published in The Tennessean here. Pat Nolan hosted me on his weekly political show, Inside Politics, along with Sen. Jeff Yarbro and Rep. Bill Beck.IN THE CAPITOL
The House Convenes
The 109th General Assembly convenes on Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 at 12:00 pm. With my family by my side, I will proudly take the oath of office to represent District 55. All House sessions are open to the public, but please note that space in the gallery may be limited on this day so arrive early.
Sponsored Legislation
I am currently researching and drafting several pieces of legislation that I intend to introduce in the 109th General Assembly. More information will be provided as I finalize my bills. I am also reviewing several of my colleague’s bills that I may co-sponsor.
Education
With a new commissioner of education, I am expecting several pieces of legislation to be introduced concerning the ongoing Common Core debate. There is also well-deserved attention being paid to pay increases for teachers, as well as the BEP funding formula.
Election of Constitutional Officers
On Wednesday, January 14th the House and Senate will convene a Joint Session to elect the constitutional officers up for election this year, the Comptroller of the Treasury and the Treasurer. These offices are respectively held by Justin P. Wilson and David H. Lillard, Jr. Both gentlemen are seeking reelection, and I have received no information regarding a challenger to either.
Health Care
On December 15, 2014, Governor Haslam unveiled his much-anticipated “Insure Tennessee” plan, a two year pilot program to provide health care coverage to Tennesseans who currently do not have access to health insurance or have limited options. The Governor has stated that he intends to call the legislature into a special session for the purpose of debating this legislation in early February 2015. Details of the proposal are limited but you can review the Governor’s summary of his proposal here. Following the passage of Amendment 1 in the November election, the floodgates opened, as expected, to legislation intended to interfere with women’s rights to make their own health care decisions and infringe on citizens’ constitutional right to privacy. Bills have been or are expected to be introduced that would: require a women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound between one and three days before the procedure; require mandatory counseling before a procedure; require a waiting period before a procedure; and, impose regulations on clinics performing procedures.
The vote count of the November election is being challenged in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, but this does not prevent bills from being introduced while the case is pending. Transportation
The push for a gas tax increase is gaining more momentum in Tennessee after TDOT Commissioner John Schroer stated that Tennessee is becoming a “maintenance-only state” when it comes to transportation projects during budget hearings last month. This statement comes on the heels of TDOT’s October announcement that it is delaying $400 million worth of road projects until 2016. Over 40 Middle Tennessee mayors have called on the Governor to find additional revenue for transportation projects. Legislation to increase the tax while gas prices are low will likely be introduced.
Wine in Grocery Stores
Rep. Bo Mitchell, has introduced legislation to allow wine to be sold in grocery stores as early as July 2015, rather than July 2016. Read local coverage of the bill here.IN OTHER NEWS
Tennessee has been declared one of “high intensity” state for flu with “widespread” levels of flu activity. Recent coverage can be found here. Please visit FLU.gov to learn more and protect your family and friends. Metro is offering free flu shots from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at all three Metro Public Health Department Health Department locations: East Health Center, 1015 East Trinity Lane; Lentz Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Avenue; and Woodbine Health Center, 224 Oriel Avenue. For more information about flu shots, please call 340-5616 option 5, or visit the Health Department’s website at health.nashville.gov.
Tennessee was named Economic Development “State of the Year” for the 2nd Consecutive Year by Business Facilities. Tennessee is the first state in the award’s history to win back-to-back honors for economic development efforts and the first state to win the award three times. Candice McQueen, most recently of Lipscomb University, has been named the Commissioner of the Department of Education. Check out local coverage of the announcement here. Randy Boyd, chairman of Radio Systems Corp., has been named the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. Check out coverage of the story here. TDOT has unveiled a Safety Message Contest to see who can come up with the best message for the overhead message signs on our interstates. Submit your idea and enter the contest here. Our Nashville Predators (whose training facility is located in District 55’s Centennial Sportsplex) are the hottest team in the NHL, and paid attendance is up at Bridgestone Arena. Nearing the season’s halfway point, here are some highlights: the Preds are expected to have a franchise record three All-Stars; goaltender Pekka Rinne is again in the running for the Vezina Trophy; Filip Forsberg has already surpassed the franchise’s rookie record for most points in a season and is a leading contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy; and, defensemen Roman Josi and Shea Weber are in the discussion for the James Norris Memorial Trophy. Go Preds!
