Representative Phil Roe’s Thoughts on Strengthening the Nation’s Energy Security
This week, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) to roll back the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) misguided, job-killing Clean Power Plan (CPP), a key component of the Obama administration’s war on coal. I was pleased with the president’s action because these regulations have been hugely detrimental to our region’s economy – from southwestern Virginia’s […]
Five In Five, An Interview With Jefferson County Finance Director Langdon Potts
Budget Season is in full swing and Jefferson County Director of Finance, Langdon Potts, is front and center in the budgeting process. The Jefferson County Post caught up with Director Potts for a Five in Five interview about how the proposed fiscal year 2017/2018 budget is shaping up and what tax payers may be able […]
She Said, He Said: Jobs in Jefferson County
The following is the fifth entry in “She Said, He Said,” a new series of articles seeking to compare and contrast the various views, political, social or otherwise, of Millennials in today’s world. Elizabeth Lane is a 2016 Carson-Newman University graduate with a BA in Creative Writing, and has worked at the Jefferson County Post […]
Early Life Secondhand Smoke Exposure May Have An Effect On Food Allergy Development
Secondhand smoke exposure is a well-established risk factor for asthma, but it may also have surprising effects in the development of diseases outside of the respiratory system. In the first study of its kind, researchers in Sweden investigated the link between early life secondhand smoke exposure and pediatric food-related symptoms. The findings were presented at […]
Bill Aimed At Safeguarding Personal Information Of Tennessee Tourists Moves Forward
On Monday, lawmakers unanimously approved legislation that safeguards the personal information of Tennessee tourists who visit state parks by restricting access to the personal information of park guests. Under current law, Tennessee state parks must disclose personal information of its guests when it receives a public records request, because there is no exemption protecting this […]
Wrong-way asteroid plays ‘chicken’ with Jupiter
For at least a million years, an asteroid orbiting the “wrong” way around the sun has been playing a cosmic game of chicken with giant Jupiter and with about 6,000 other asteroids sharing the giant planet’s space, says a report published in the latest issue of Nature. The asteroid, nicknamed Bee-Zed, is the only one in […]
Happy April Fool’s Day!
Watch out and beware of all phone calls, social media posts, and advertisements. Today is Saturday April 1, 2017, also known as April Fool’s Day. This is the day when pranksters rejoice and tomfoolery is rampant, so be on alert. How did this holiday get started in the first place? The origin of April Fool’s […]
House Republicans Pass Legislation Strengthening Tennessee Campaign Finance Laws
The full House passed legislation this week to strengthen Tennessee campaign finance laws, with House Republicans leading the charge to require funds donated to a campaign be deposited and maintained in a traditional bank or credit union account insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Current statute allows campaign funds to be invested in […]
Legislation Stiffens Penalties Against Felons With Firearms
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved major legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) yesterday to enact tougher sentences for violent felons in possession of firearms. The legislation continues Norris’ series of anti-crime laws dubbed “Crooks with Guns” passed over the last decade to curb gun-related violence and focus resources on keeping violent criminals […]
House Approves Legislation Protecting Identities Of Minors In Crime Situations
Earlier this month, House lawmakers unanimously approved legislation designed to protect the identities of Tennessee minors who fall victim to crimes, especially those that are sexual in nature. House Bill 344 protects the identities of minors in a crime situation, unless a court waives confidentiality at the request of the victim’s parent or legal guardian. […]
State Senators Approve Bills Aiding the Families of Law Enforcement Officers and Emergency Responders Who Are Killed in the Line of Duty
The Senate State and Local Government Committee approved two bills this week aiding the families of law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty. Senate Bill 1059, sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma), calls for a $250,000 death benefit from the State of Tennessee for any firefighter, volunteer rescue worker, or law […]
Broadband Accessibility Act Clears Additional Key Legislative Hurdle
House Bill 529, the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act, cleared an additional key legislative hurdle this week after gaining unanimous approval from the House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee. As introduced, the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act seeks to expand broadband internet services across the state, especially to Tennessee’s rural areas that currently completely lack coverage. Tennessee […]
Alexander, Corker Introduce Bill to Rescue Americans with Zero Options for Insurance on the Affordable Care Act Exchanges
Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today introduced legislation to rescue Americans with Affordable Care Act subsidies who have zero options for health insurance on the exchanges for the 2018 plan year. “There are 34,000 Knoxville area residents who rely on an Affordable Care Act subsidy to purchase insurance, and after the one […]
Rep. Andy Holt Introduces Bill to Reform Legislative Reception Excess
Representative Andy Holt (R-Dresden) announced Tuesday that the State Government Subcommittee will hold a hearing on HB 1007, which he intends to amend to prohibit closed-door legislative receptions funded by taxpayer dollars. Rep. Holt describes his legislation as a “first step” towards untangling the web of taxpayer-funded spending on lobbyists: “I can’t sit here in […]
Women May Be at Higher Risk for Sports-Related Concussion than Men
Women athletes are 50 percent more likely than male athletes to have a sports-related concussion, according to a preliminary study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 69th Annual Meeting in Boston, April 22 to 28, 2017. “Sports-related concussion is a significant public health problem and research has typically focused […]
Jefferson County Democrats Meet and Elect New Officers
Members of the Jefferson County Democrats met today at the Jefferson City Library to elect new officers. The meeting quickly moved through the process of nominations and voting. Five positions in total were voted upon, as well as additions to the executive member committee. John Sonnen was voted again as the Chair of the Jefferson […]
