Statement from SCORE on 2012-13 Tennessee TCAP Results

The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) released the following statement today from Jamie Woodson, President and CEO, on statewide results for the 2012-13 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP): “Tennessee has made an important commitment over the last few years – we have set a goal that every student graduates from high school prepared for […]
REP. FARMER RECEIVES TBA PRESIDENT’S AWARD

State Representative Andrew Farmer, a first term representative in TN House District 17 serving portions of Jefferson and Sevier County, was honored on June 14th with the President’s Award from outgoing TBA president Jacqueline Dixon at the association’s annual luncheon and meeting in Nashville. Farmer sponsored legislation to update guardianship and conservatorship laws in Tennessee […]
Statement Regarding This Week’s U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Concerning Arizona’s Citizenship Verification Law (Arizona et al v. United States)
It is our opinion that the recent Supreme Court ruling does not impact our current process in Tennessee for verifying citizenship for voters. Arizona rejected new voter registrations that did not include proof of citizenship, such as birth certificates. Our process in Tennessee is different. We do not require that type of documentation when registering […]
Sales Tax Rate on Food to Decrease Beginning July 1, 2013
On May 13, 2013, Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law a reduction in the state sales and use tax rate on sales of food and food ingredients. Effective July 1, 2013, the state sales and use tax rate on sales of food and food ingredients will be reduced from 5.25% to 5%. With the change, […]
Haslam Announces Claude Ramsey to Retire

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Deputy to the Governor Claude Ramsey will retire at the end of August to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren in Chattanooga. Ramsey has been integral to Haslam on several key initiatives, including civil service reform, economic development efforts, workforce development training and improved operation of […]
Beware of Business Scam Involving Corporate Records

Secretary of State Tre Hargett is warning businesses throughout Tennessee to be vigilant about scammers who request fees that are not required by state government. The Secretary of State’s office has received inquiries about official-looking notices sent from Corporate Records Service. These notices were reported arriving in mailboxes around Tuesday. Corporate Records Service is not […]
Tennessee Main Streets Host Summer Activities
Summertime is almost here, which means it’s the perfect opportunity for Tennessee Main Street communities to take center stage and welcome both locals and visitors alike. Tennessee Main Street Programs are hosting multiple summer events and farmers’ markets to support historic downtown business districts across the state. “Historic downtown districts are an important part of […]
ACLU-TN Victory in Protecting Free Speech of Occupy Nashville Protesters
In a ruling underscoring Tennesseans’ right to political speech, a federal judge ruled late yesterday that the state of Tennessee’s arrest of Occupy Nashville protesters was an unconstitutional violation of their First Amendment rights. “The Court’s ruling is a resounding victory for the principles of free speech and protest championed by Occupy Nashville and the […]
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Applauds Tennessee on the Passage of Lifesaving Legislation

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed into law lifesaving legislation that will require all convicted drunk drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater to use ignition interlocks on their vehicles to prevent future offenses. With the passage of this law, Tennessee becomes the 18th state to pass such legislation and, the total […]
Dollar General Foundation Grant to Help Support Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission’s Mission

The Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission received a $15,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation this month to support the Commission’s mission of increasing Tennesseans’ knowledge of money management and related issues. The commission is a nonprofit organization, created by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered by the Tennessee Treasury Department. The commission plans to […]
“TNStars 529 Day” Means Fun Deals, Special Prizes and College Savings Incentives for Tennessee Families

Five bucks and some change will give Tennesseans access to some of the state’s best-known family-friendly attractions later this month. At select locations across the state, people can visit a minor league baseball game, a museum or zoo on May 29 for only $5.29 each. People can also register online to win prizes and perks […]
State Library and Archives Hosts Workshop on Exploring Family Trees
Many families have great stories to tell – which can often be unearthed by searching through family videos, photo albums, or journals passed down from generation to generation. However, for some people, the idea of starting such a project is daunting. The Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) has just the event to ease the […]
Prohibition Exhibit at State Library and Archives and Online

It was the constitutional amendment that tried – often unsuccessfully – to put Americans on the path to sobriety and in the process created a booming market for Tennessee’s providers of illegal moonshine whiskey. The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which launched the Prohibition era in 1920, was called the country’s “noble experiment.” That […]
Legislation to Curb Rx Abuse & Pill Mills Passes

Major legislation sponsored by State Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) designed to curb the abuse of prescription drugs in Tennessee is on its way to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature. Faison said the bill is a result of “comprehensive and collaborative effort by citizens, legislators, law enforcement and medical professionals to enhance and tighten the […]
Learn Facts about the Women’s Suffrage Movement in Tennessee Online
On this date 94 years ago, Mary Cordelia Beasley Hudson etched her place in history by becoming the first woman to legally vote in Tennessee. Hudson cast her vote – for the winning candidate, she proudly noted – in a Camden mayoral election just five days after a law giving women the right to vote […]
Fiscally Conservative Balanced Budget Passes General Assembly

In the final week of the legislative session, the House of Representatives passed Tennessee’s annual budget with an 83 – 14 vote. The bill’s passage was the culmination of months of tireless work crafting a fiscally responsible and balanced budget. The $32.6 billion budget cuts taxes, puts $100 million in the state’s Rainy Day Fund, […]