House Continues Tax Cuts For Hardworking Tennessee Citizens
The House continued reducing taxes for hardworking Tennesseans and their families this year by slashing more than $35.2 million dollars as part of the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget. As part of these cuts, lawmakers overwhelmingly supported House Bill 1262, which repeals the professional privilege tax on accountants, architects, athlete agents, audiologists, chiropractors, dentists, engineers, landscape […]
Legislation Tossing Gym Tax Becomes Law
Governor Lee has officially signed legislation that tosses the $6 million amusement tax on small gyms. House Bill 1138 eliminates the amusement tax on small gyms, fitness studios, and similar entities across Tennessee. It levels the playing field for these facilities so they can compete against their larger counterparts, which obtained an exemption from this […]
Sergeant Baker Act Passes The General Assembly
This year, the General Assembly also approved House Bill 258, known as the Sergeant Baker Act. This initiative removes the intermediate appeal to the court of criminal appeals in death penalty cases and provides for automatic direct review by the Tennessee Supreme Court for convictions for which a death sentence is imposed. Additionally, House Bill […]
General Assembly Enhances Agriculture Education In Tennessee
Republican leaders supported legislation enhancing agriculture education in Tennessee. House Bill 945 – which is part of Governor Lee’s legislative agenda this year – establishes the Agriculture Education & Youth Participation Task Force. The goal of the 11-person task force is to encourage and promote agricultural education opportunities so our students are better prepared for […]
Republican Lawmakers Create Balance Within Community Oversight Boards
In 2019, House Republicans passed House Bill 658, which creates balance within community oversight boards across Tennessee. The legislation balances both the interests of our citizens to voice their opinion while also protecting the fundamental rights of officers and their families from malicious or politically focused persecution. As amended, community oversight boards can obtain subpoena […]
Republicans Continue To Protect Sanctity Of Life
This year, Republican lawmakers continued their commitment to protecting the sanctity of life and fighting for our unborn children. In early March, House Republicans approved the Heartbeat Bill. This measure prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected but makes an exception if the life of the mother is in jeopardy. Weeks later, House Bill […]
Announcement of Maximum Effective Rate of Interest on Home Loans
The Federal National Mortgage Association has discontinued its free market auction system for commitments to purchase conventional home mortgages. Therefore, the Commissioner of Financial Institutions hereby announces that the maximum effective rate of interest per annum for home loans as set by the General Assembly in 1987, Public Chapter 291, for the month of June, 2019 is 6.93 […]
Tennessee WIC Program Launches Electronic Benefit Transfer Card System
The Tennessee Women, Infants and Children or WIC Program has transitioned to an electronic benefit transfer system from a paper-based method of issuing benefits. Tennessee families participating in WIC now use their TNWIC cards instead of paper vouchers to purchase WIC-approved foods. TNWIC is now available in all 95 counties of Tennessee. “We are so […]
Gov. Bill Lee Lauds General Assembly in Working Together to Pass Conservative Reforms
Thursday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked the close of the 2019 legislative session, a session which included the unanimous passage of his budget as well as the passage of his full agenda as outlined during his State of the State address in March. “In March, I presented our budget and a series of priorities which […]
AG Slatery Joins 17 State Coalition Supporting EPA Plan to Ease Burden on Farmers, Landowners
Nashville- Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III joined a 17-state coalition this week to support farmers and landowners by urging the Trump administration to adopt its proposed replacement of the Obama-era, Waters of the United States rule. The coalition, in comments filed late Monday, argued the Trump administration’s proposal would restore reasonable, predictable lines between […]
Comptroller’s Office Studies Teacher Salaries In Tennessee
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released a report examining how money intended to boost teacher salaries has been used by local school districts. More than $300 million in new, recurring state dollars was appropriated by the General Assembly though the state’s Basic Education Program (BEP) between fiscal years 2015 and 2018. The legislative intent for […]
Representative Andrew E. Farmer Leads Successful Negotiations With Governor To Protect District 17 From ESA Legislation
Recently, there has been much discussion related to House Bill 939, a proposal creating an Education Savings Account (ESA) pilot program in Tennessee. Because this initiative has generated concerns from our teachers, superintendents, school board members, and parents, I knew we needed to have a seat at the table during negotiations with Governor Lee and […]
Republican-Led Bill Promoting Civics Education Passes House
Republican lawmakers passed House Bill 944 recognizing Tennessee’s public schools and school districts that implement high-quality civic education because it is essential to preserving our constitutional democracy. In partnership with the Secretary of State’s office, this initiative seeks to promote efforts to increase access to quality civics education, while also recognizing our schools for their […]
Feds Grant Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration For Flood Relief In 56 Tennessee Counties
The federal government has approved the Governor’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to make federal recovery assistance available to 56 county jurisdictions impacted by February’s flooding and severe storms. The following counties are included in this declaration: Bedford, Bledsoe, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Cheatham, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Decatur, Dekalb, Dickson, Dyer, Fentress, Gibson, Giles, […]
Rural Republican Lawmakers Negotiate With Governor To Protect Against Possible Negative ESA Impact
As momentum builds in the House builds for the Governor’s proposed Education Savings Account legislation, rural Republican leaders are taking steps to safeguard their communities from unintended financial consequences related to House Bill 939. During discussions and negotiations with the Governor, these members were able to include an amendment to House Bill 939 that guarantees […]
Governor Lee Signs Legislation Tossing Gym Tax
This week, the Governor signed legislation that tosses the amusement tax on small gyms. House Bill 1138 eliminates the amusement tax on small gyms, fitness studios, and similar entities across Tennessee. It levels the playing field for these facilities so they can compete against their larger counterparts, which obtained an exemption from this burdensome regulation […]
