Sergeant Baker Bill Continues To Advance In The House
Republicans continue to advance House Bill 258, commonly known as the Sergeant Baker Act. This bill 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 sentence of death is imposed. Additionally, House Bill 258 […]
School Safety Legislation Passes Out Of Education Committee
On Wednesday, members of the House Education Committee supported a new investment to secure our Tennessee schools. Backed by Republican leadership and Governor Lee, House Bill 947 proposes a $40 million investment for the school safety grant fund and additional changes to existing law to prioritize the distribution of these grants to help secure school […]
Civic Seal Legislation Moving Through Committee Process In The House
This week, Republican leaders advanced legislation that establishes the Governor’s Civics Seal program. House Bill 944 recognizes Tennessee’s public schools and school districts that implement high-quality civic education because it is essential to preserving our constitutional democracy. This initiative seeks to promote efforts to increase access to quality civics education, while also developing specific standards […]
House Republicans Pass Legislation Creating Balance Within Community Oversight Boards
This week in Nashville, House Republicans passed House Bill 658, which will create balance within community oversight boards across Tennessee. House Bill 658 balances both the interests of our citizens to voice their opinion while also protecting the fundamental rights of police officers and their families from malicious or politically focused persecution. Community oversight boards […]
ADA Compliance Plan on December Deadline
American Disabilities Act compliance deadline is looming on the horizon for Jefferson County, as well as other counties across the state. With an eye on a December 2019 deadline from Tennessee Department of Transportation for total County compliance, for both County and Schools, Jefferson County Facilities Director David Longmire addressed the issue with the Jefferson […]
Budget Committee Allows Dip into Landfill Funds Despite Ongoing Deficit
Despite an on going audit finding in excess of $3 million dollars deficit for Landfill post closure costs, the Jefferson County Budget Committee recently approved the use of around $588,000. The monies are to be used for excavation and engineering services for a Class III Cell B Closure at the Jefferson County Landfill. The post […]
Flood Damage Assistance Available for Farmers
The Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke Farm Service Agency county committee has requested assistance for damage suffered due to flooding for Cocke County farmers, through the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). “If ECP is approved for Jefferson County, then the county office will hold a signup period for producers to request assistance through ECP”, according to James Giffin, County Executive […]
AG Slatery Urges Congress to Take Action Against Robocalls
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today urged the U.S. Senate to enact the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, legislation to curb illegal robocalls and spoofing. A coalition of 54 attorneys general, led by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. […]
Low Unemployment Continues Across Much of Tennessee in January
Statistics released Thursday by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) show 67 of the state’s 95 counties continued to experience unemployment rates below 5 percent during the first month of 2019. The January unemployment rate is 5 percent or greater in the remaining 28 Tennessee counties. Williamson County has the lowest unemployment […]
JCHS Announces Proposed Design for New Leroy Shannon Field
Jefferson County Schools is excited to announce, and share with the community, the proposed design of Leroy Shannon Field on the campus of JCHS. The renovations include a synthetic game field, new track, new tennis courts, upgrades at the softball facility, and an expanded natural grass practice field. JCHS Athletic Director – Mr. Randy Rogers […]
Chesnut Hill Road Closed Due to Rockslide
State Route 92, known as Chesnut Hill Road in Southern Jefferson County is temporarily closed due to a rockslide. The damage is located near Lake Breeze Drive. TDOT estimates that the road will remain closed until around 4 p.m.
Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday
Winter is coming to an end, and already shades of green are popping up all around East Tennessee. With the coming warmer temperatures, budding trees, and splashes of color from spring flowers, comes another thing, Daylight Savings Time. Beginning during World War I, Daylight Savings Time was implemented in the U.S. and other European countries […]
Representative Andrew Farmer To Carry Legislation On Behalf Of House Leadership, Governor Bill Lee
House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Assistant Majority Leader Ron Gant (R-Rossville) today announced that State Representative Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville) has been chosen as a co-prime sponsor to shepherd House Bill 942 through the legislative process on behalf of Republican leadership. The measure is part of Governor Lee’s legislative package for the year, which is traditionally sponsored by the House Majority […]
Roe Reintroduces Resolution Promoting Free Speech on College Campuses
Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) reintroduced a resolution that reinforces First Amendment rights for all Americans on college campuses. This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that institutions of higher education should facilitate and recommit themselves to protecting and promoting the free and open exchange of ideas, and that free speech zones and codes are inherently […]
