Haslam: Tennessee Will Lead the Nation in Jobs, Education and Government Efficiency
In his final State of the State address to the General Assembly, Gov. Bill Haslam this evening challenged all Tennesseans to lead the nation in creating high-quality jobs, improving the education of our students, and providing the most efficient and effective state government services. “Seven years ago we raised our expectations. We became the kind […]
Welfare Reform Initiative Gains Support From House Republicans
This year, House Republicans are leading efforts to reform Tennessee’s welfare system. Last fall, the Haslam Administration announced an initiative to reinstate the work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents who rely on the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for assistance. By reinstituting work requirements, approximately 58,000 able-bodied adults who are not currently meeting […]
Republican Leaders Unveil ‘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. On Monday afternoon, Governor Haslam joined with Republican leaders to unveil a new initiative to combat the state’s opioid problem head on: Tennessee Together. Tennessee Together is a multi-faceted plan comprised […]
DICKERSON, FAISON INTRODUCE MEDICAL CANNABIS ONLY (MCO) ACT
State Sen. Steve Dickerson (R-Nashville) and Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) today introduced the Medical Cannabis Only Act of 2018, legislation that would allow Tennessee patients with specific health conditions access to safe, regulated medical cannabis oil-based manufactured products only. Dickerson and Faison led the Medical Cannabis Task Force for the Tennessee General Assembly this fall, […]
Roe Issues Statement on Government Shutdown
Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after Senate Democrats voted to shut down the government last night: “I joined my House Republican colleagues in fulfilling one of Congress’ most basic duties, which is to keep the government open. It is unconscionable that Senate Democrats prefer shutting down the government instead of […]
Haslam Announces Tennessee Ends 2017 With 28,000+ New Jobs, Unemployment Rate Nearly 2 Percentage Points Lower Than 2016
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips today announced Tennessee ended 2017 with more than 28,000 new jobs across the state in the last year and an unemployment rate nearly 2 percentage points lower than 2016. In 2017 a total of 28,700 nonfarm jobs were created across the […]
Consumer Update: Takata Airbags Recall Continues to Expand
42 million vehicles are now part of a recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calls “one of the largest and most complex in U.S. history.” Takata Corporation, an automotive parts company based in Japan, has recalled airbags installed in vehicles from 19 different automobile manufacturers. These airbags can explode when deployed, causing serious […]
Tennessee Department of Education Releases New State Report Card
Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen has unveiled the latest version of the state Report Card, which is now available on the department’s website. This annual snapshot of school, district, and state performance offers users the ability to view multiple achievement and growth measures – in addition to metrics such as student enrollment, HOPE scholarship eligibility, school […]
State Rep. Jimmy Matlock Introduces Legislation To Defund Planned Parenthood In State
On Tuesday, Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir City) announced he would be introducing legislation to outlaw funding of Planned Parenthood in the state of Tennessee following the federal appeals court decision to uphold the 2014 vote on Amendment 1. “A false narrative exists in Tennessee that Planned Parenthood doesn’t receive Tennessee tax-payer dollars. Media and professional politicians […]
Lt. Governor Announces Committee Changes
Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) today announced state Senate committee assignment changes for the second annual session of the 110th General Assembly. The changes come as a result of the resignation of three Senate members since the legislature adjourned in May. Two of the resigning senators, Doug Overbey and Jim Tracy, accepted presidential appointments. […]
State Fire Marshal’s Office Urges Safety During Deadliest Week For Fire Deaths
The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) urges Tennesseans to focus on home fire safety during what has traditionally been the most tragic week for fire-related incidents in the Volunteer State: The second week of January. SFMO data shows that Tennessee has averaged 3.6 fire deaths (29 in eight years) during the second week of […]
Roe to East Tennesseans: I Will Proudly Stand with the President to Fight For You
Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after attending President Trump’s speech to the American Farm Bureau National Conference: “It was an honor to join President Trump aboard Air Force One today, and to attend his speech in Nashville as he discussed increasing prosperity in rural America. I agree wholeheartedly with the […]
Consumer Alert: Deadline Approaching in Western Union Settlement
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III and the Federal Trade Commission are reminding consumers to file claims related to $586 million settlement between Western Union Company, the FTC, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Consumers who lost money to scammers who told them to pay via Western Union’s money transfer system between January 1, 2004 […]
Haslam Announces Major Awarding of IMPROVE Act Transportation Projects, Largest Bidding Process in State History
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer today announced the state has awarded $297 million in contracts from bids accepted in December for crucial road and bridge construction projects – the first major awarding of IMPROVE Act projects and the largest such bidding process in TDOT’s history. With increased transportation […]
Former UT Football Director of Operations Pleads Guilty
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in Chris Spognardi, the former Director of Football Operations at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, pleading guilty to official misconduct. Comptroller investigators determined that Spognardi provided fabricated or altered documentation to account for at least $14,085 in athletic funds from September 2015 through January 2016. Spognardi could […]
State Fire Marshal: Ring in the New Year with Safety Mind
Whether your New Year’s plans involve a low-key night at home or a big night out on the town, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) encourages Tennesseans to add fire safety to the celebration agenda. “No matter where you choose to celebrate the new year, be sure to do it safely,” said State Fire […]
