VITAL POLICY – Right-to-Work Constitutional Amendment Among Topics Discussed at Jefferson County Lincoln-Reagan Dinner
Jefferson County Republicans celebrated freedom, promoted local and state candidates, and discussed a variety of topics at their recent Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, including the Right-to-Work State Constitutional Amendment that will appear on the November 8, 2022, ballot.
For the first time, primary elections were called by the local Republican Party for county commission and school board races, increasing the number of Republicans that will hold office after the County General Election in August.
State legislators enacted law in November 2021 during the Third Extraordinary Legislative Session to permit county parties to call school board primary elections. Members of the Jefferson County Republican Party Executive Committee promptly made the primary call after the governor signed the measure into law.
State Representatives Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville), Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby), 1st District U.S. Congresswoman Diane Harshbarger, and 2nd District U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett addressed the audience of 220 Republicans, providing updates on legislative activities in Nashville and Washington D.C., respectively. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn appeared by video.
All local Republican candidates were given time to make introductions and discuss their campaigns with those in attendance. This included contested and uncontested races as well as candidates from the 4th and 5th Judicial Districts.
Special guests included David Thompson, Monica Hoss, and Mica Van Huss of Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Tennessee. AFP is a public interest organization that lobbies for truth in taxation, property rights, constitutional principles, and economic liberty.
Assistant Principal Dr. Monty Sharp received the Jefferson County Republican Party Community Service Award, for his leadership role in certifying all 142 staff members of Jefferson County High School in the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, a service of the Medal of Honor Society that promotes lessons on courage, integrity, commitment, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism to K-12 students across the nation.
State Senator Frank Niceley was the keynote speaker for the event, covering a wide range of topics including fair elections, taxes, and the economy. He complemented Jefferson County for its use of MicroVote voting machines. Niceley attributed Tennessee’s current two-billion-dollar budget surplus to the state’s low taxation of its citizens and businesses. Since Republicans achieved a supermajority in the Tennessee legislature in 2011, the Hall, certain Professional Privilege, Gift, and Inheritance Taxes have been eliminated, to which Niceley credits the success of Tennessee’s economy and favorable tax revenue, quipping that Jefferson County should follow the state model of lowering taxes. Tennessee’s long standing right-to-work laws attract business to the state and contribute to the robust labor market. Niceley Co-Chairs the Jefferson County Vote Yes on 1 committee with David Seal.
Voters will have the opportunity to amend the Tennessee Constitution in the November election to solidify right-to-work as a state constitutional right. Right-to-work has been law in Tennessee since 1947. However, political forces in Washington D.C. are aiming to unravel right-to-work laws at the federal level and in 27 states. Tennessee’s initiative to amend the state constitution for right-to-work is called Vote Yes on 1, a measure that is supported by nearly 70% of the population.
To learn more about Vote Yes on 1
Right to Work for all Tennesseans (tnright2work.com)
Americans for Prosperity Tennessee
About – Americans for Prosperity
David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level.
