27 Tennessee Main Street Communities to Benefit from “IDEA Initiative”
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Appalachian Regional Commission to launch the “IDEA Initiative” that will assist Tennessee Main Street designated programs in setting achievable, effective and sustainable development objectives. There are currently 27 Main Street communities across Tennessee. “We are pleased […]
House Unanimously Passes Data Privacy Bill
A bill designed to better protect the personal information of Tennessee taxpayers unanimously passed the House of Representatives this week in Nashville. The legislation, which has been applauded by pro-privacy groups statewide, requires both current and future state employees who have access to proprietary and personal information of those dealing with state agencies to undergo […]
‘America Saves Week’ Emphasizes the Value of Putting Money Aside
Did you know that nearly half of Americans don’t have a savings plan with specific goals? Or that about one-third of Americans don’t have enough emergency funds on hand to cover unexpected expenses like car repairs or visits to the doctor? In our modern world, computers and personal electronic devices make it easier all the […]
Haslam Unveils Visionary ‘Tennessee Promise’
During his fourth annual State of the State address before the General Assembly, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam this week introduced the “Tennessee Promise.” The historic proposal commits to providing on a continuing basis two years of community college or a college of applied technology (TCAT) absolutely free of tuition and fees to graduating high school […]
New Report Chronicles Growth of Online Learning in Higher Education
The number of students in the United States enrolled in at least one online course has increased faster than overall enrollment growth in higher education, a new report from the state Comptroller’s office shows. The report, released today by the Comptroller’s Offices of Research and Education Accountability (OREA), found that between 2002 and 2010, the […]
Representative Faison meets with Commissioner Phillips to discuss unemployment issues
State Representative Jeremy Faison(R-Cosby) met with the Department of Labor and Work Force Development Commissioner, Burns Phillips on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the unemployment issues that affect our state. Representative Faison wanted to address the high volume of calls that he has received in his office during the past several weeks. He also wanted to […]
Tennessee Unemployment Benefit Tax Information Now Available
Recipients of Tennessee unemployment benefits during 2013 can now access the information they need for income tax purposes on the state Department of Labor & Workforce Development homepage: https://tdlwd.tn.gov/ui1099/. They can also go straight to the log-in page:https://tdlwd.tn.gov/ui1099/login.aspx. By entering their birth date or the same PIN they used to certify or inquire on their unemployment […]
TDH Launches New Statewide Breastfeeding Hotline
Tennessee families now have a new resource to support their efforts to breastfeed babies. The Department of Health has launched the statewide Tennessee Breastfeeding Hotline, which is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number is 1-855-4BF-MOMS (1-855-423-6667). The hotline is staffed by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and Certified Lactation Counselors, and […]
SCORE Releases 2013-14 State of Education in Tennessee Report
The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) Monday released 2013-14 State of Education in Tennessee, a comprehensive annual report that assesses Tennessee’s recent work to improve K-12 student academic performance and identifies five priorities for public education this year. The 52-page report was released by SCORE’s founder and chairman, Senator Bill Frist, M.D., at an event […]
Common Core Back Under Fire In Nashville
Proposed Legislation to terminate or pause Tennessee’s participation in Common Core, the recently instigated educational standards, was filed last week in both the House and Senate. Some House and Senate Republicans have been vocal regarding their position on, what some view as, a step toward more federal intervention in local education. Tennessee is one of […]
Tennessee Student to Participate in International Academic Program Studying World War II’s Normandy Invasion
Until recently, Caley Williamson didn’t know much about World War II or the Normandy Invasion (also known as D-Day) that was one of the turning points in the war. That changed after Caley, who attends Cosby High School in Cocke County, had a talk with her family. “I learned I had numerous relatives who had participated […]
Tennessee Named ‘2013 State Of The Year’ For Economic Development
Last week, Business Facilities magazine, a national economic development publication, officially named Tennessee as its ‘2013 State Of The Year’ for economic development, based on the state’s huge success over the last twelve months in recruiting new business and promoting economic development across Tennessee. Cited in the magazine’s report were the state’s top five economic […]
House Of Representatives Undergoes Annual Ethics Training
The House of Representatives participated in their annual ethics training this week, with the Executive Director of the Tennessee Ethics Commission, Drew Rawlins, leading the training session. All 71 House Republicans were present, completing their required two hours of training per General Assembly. The Tennessee Ethics Commission was created in a special session called by […]
Comptroller Releases Updated Report on Methamphetamine Production in Tennessee
The illicit production of methamphetamine remains a serious public health, safety and fiscal issue in Tennessee, yet two of the most popular methods aimed at curbing meth production have shown inconclusive results. These are among the key findings of an updated study of meth production released today by the Comptroller’s Offices of Research and Education […]
2013-2014 Tennessee Blue Book to Honor Pat Summitt
In her 38 years coaching the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team, Pat Summitt received hundreds of honors. Her teams won more than 1,000 games, 32 Southeastern Conference championships and eight national championships. Her players who completed their playing eligibility at UT had a 100 percent graduation rate. And since being diagnosed with early […]
State Representative Jeremy Faison Files Pro-Hemp, Pro-Jobs Legislation
State Representative Jeremy Faison (R–Cosby) announced this week he has filed legislation to legalize the growth of hemp in Tennessee. Currently, because of federal guidelines, the cultivation of hemp in our state is illegal, despite numerous studies that have shown hemp production would be a multi-million dollar per year industry and would create thousands of […]
