Over 10,000 Adults Have Applied For Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship
This week, House Republicans joined with Governor Haslam to announce that over 10,000 adults have applied for Tennessee Reconnect, the state’s program for adult learners to earn an associate degree or technical certificate tuition-free. The application for Tennessee Reconnect opened on February 15 of this year and 10,497 applications had been submitted as of April […]
Tennessee Stolen Valor Act Passes In General Assembly
Wednesday morning, House members unanimously passed a measure to strengthen identity protections for our military veterans. House Bill 2130, also known as the Tennessee Stolen Valor Act, is designed to safeguard the identities of Tennessee veterans who serve the state and nation by cracking down on instances of theft and fraud involving those who attempt […]
Advocates Applaud Passage Of New Adoption Legislation
House lawmakers joined together this week for the unanimous passage of House Bill 1856. The bill streamlines the adoption process in Tennessee, adding updates to the law desperately needed to serve children and families across the state better, advocates say. House Bill 1856 simplifies the surrender form — which was previously very complicated — and […]
House Republicans Pass ‘Tennessee Together’ Plan To Help Combat Opioid Epidemic
While the federal government has only just commenced conversation about the opioid epidemic, Tennessee leads the way in fighting the situation here at home. This week, House Republicans passed legislation to combat the state’s opioid problem head on: Tennessee Together. Tennessee Together is a multi-faceted plan comprised of legislation, $30 million in funds through the […]
Working Group Releases Recommendations; Puts Forth Plan To Significantly Increase Funding For School Safety & Security
The working group organized to make recommendations for immediate enhancements to school safety across the state officially released their proposals this week in Nashville. The working group identified three immediate priorities: 1. A review and risk assessment of all school facilities to identify vulnerabilities; 2. An increase in available resources to help secure school resource […]
House Moves Forward With Bills To Strengthen Tennessee’s Law Banning Sanctuary Cities
The House moved forward this week with two bills designed to strengthen Tennessee’s law prohibiting sanctuary cities. The first bill, House Bill 2315, ensures that state and local government entities are prohibited from adopting or enacting sanctuary policies, whether they are in written form or not, which shield illegal aliens from state and federal immigration […]
It’s Pothole Season
Winter weather extremes lead to an increase in potholes on state highways and bridges. Potholes form when moisture seeps into cracks in the pavement, then freezes and thaws causing the cracks to expand. The constant pounding of traffic loosens the pavement which causes it to crumble, creating potholes. Severe swings in temperature followed by periods […]
Representative Faison’s Initiative Supporting Investments Made By Tennessee’s Teachers Passes
House Republicans have unanimously passed an initiative sponsored by State Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) that better protects retirement investments made by Tennessee’s teachers. House Bill 1592 — which recently passed by a 90-0 vote tally — requires that certain pension stabilization reserve trusts for our state’s teachers be used exclusively for the benefit of participants and beneficiaries of […]
Tennessee Starts 2018 With Continued Low Unemployment
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips today announced that unemployment across Tennessee remained low at the start of 2018. Data released today revealed the preliminary statewide unemployment rate for January 2018 was 3.3 percent, which matched the revised rate for December 2017. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January […]
Haslam Forms Working Group To Review School Safety, Make Immediate Safety Recommendations To Enhance Security
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced he has formed a working group of leaders from the executive branch, General Assembly, safety, education and mental health to immediately begin reviewing school safety in Tennessee and provide recommendations to enhance the security of school children. While all schools in Tennessee currently have safety plans in place, the […]
Senator Kelsey’s Constitutional Amendment to Ban Hall Tax Passes Senate in 26-3 Vote
A proposal by State Senator Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) to amend the Tennessee Constitution to ban the Hall income tax passed the Senate by a vote of 26-3. Senate Joint Resolution 494 proposes additional language in Article II, Section 28 of Tennessee’s Constitution which would eliminate state and local governments’ authority to levy state or local tax […]
Tenn. Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment to Deploy in Support of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine
Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, today announced that elements of the Knoxville based 278th ACR will deploy this summer as part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine (JMTG-U). More than two hundred 278th Soldiers will assist the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the continued development of a premier Combat Training Center. The realization of the Yavoriv […]
Bridge Repairs to Impact Travel on I-40 in Knoxville
Motorists traveling on I-40 in Knoxville should be alert for lane closures that will have a significant impact on travel this weekend. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 2, 2018 through 6 a.m. on Monday, March 5, 2018, I-40 West will be reduced to one lane near Mile Marker 385 (I-640 Interchange) as crews […]
Three Tennessee Schools to Receive $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC), with Chairman Jake Steinfield, has selected Tennessee for its 2018 DON’T QUIT! fitness campaign. “I am incredibly grateful to Jake Steinfeld and the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils for helping improve the health and lives of children in Tennessee,” Haslam […]
January 2018 Revenues Less than Expected, While Year-to-Date State Revenues Remain More than Budgeted
Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Larry Martin today announced that overall January state tax revenues posted less than expected, while year-to-date state revenues remain more than budgeted. Revenues for January totaled $1.4 billion, and were 3.18 percent less than revenues received in the same time period one year ago, and were $25 million […]
State Senator Frank Niceley Receives Champion of Prosperity Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee (AFP-TN), the leading grassroots organization fighting for lower taxes and limited government in Tennessee, named state Senator Frank Niceley a “Champion of Prosperity.” “Senator Niceley is a favorite of our activists – he always has an interesting story to tell and a voting record that supports fiscally conservative principles, […]
