Tennessee January Revenues
Tennessee tax collections continued an overall upward trend in January, even though sales tax collections were worse than the previous year. January sales tax collections represent retail activity that occurred during December. Finance and Administration Commissioner Mark Emkes today announced that overall January revenues were $1.1 billion, which is $15.4 million more than the state […]
Norris “LEAP” Law to Educate and Employ Tennesseans
Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has filed legislation creating an innovative statewide initiative merging traditional college coursework with technical training to address the skilled labor shortage faced by Tennessee employers. Senate Bill 1330 creates the Labor Education Alignment Program (LEAP) allowing students at Tennessee’s technology centers and community colleges the opportunity to combine occupational […]
Senate Bills Could Have Wide Impact on Tennessee Elections and Directors of Schools
The 108th Tennessee General Assembly is in Session and there have been a significant number of Bills introduced for consideration. Two Bills that will have widespread impact on voters in Tennessee came from District 8 Senator Frank Niceley. Senator Niceley has sponsored a total of 47 Bills since January 30, 2013, including SB0471 and SB0916. […]
New 2013 State Maps Now Available
The official 2013 Tennessee Transportation Map is now available for travelers. This year’s map contains new information to assist motorists, including the recently completed State Route 840 in southern Middle Tennessee. This is the first state map in 26 years to show the completed route that bypasses Nashville and provides access to Interstate 40 east […]
State Library and Archives Commemorates Black History Month with Updated Online Exhibit
In celebration of Black History Month, the Tennessee State Library and Archives is introducing a greatly expanded version of one of its most popular online exhibits: “This Honorable Body: African American Legislators in 19th Century Tennessee.” Available at http://tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/blackhistory/index.htm, the revised exhibit offers many intriguing new features. The original site was created in 2006 at […]
Department of Economic & Community Development Gives Positive State Outlook
During House budget hearings this week, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Bill Hagerty presented lawmakers with a positive overview of the success Tennessee has had over the last several months in creating an environment statewide where businesses have the opportunity to grow and thrive. Since the election of Governor Haslam, Hagerty announced, nearly 80,000 […]
MADD Partners with Lawmakers to Advocate for Ignition Interlock Legislation
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) joined with legislators this week to call for the advancement of House Bill 353, a piece of legislation which would update state law to require the installation of ignition interlock devices for all future convicted drunk drivers in Tennessee. Interlock devices are small pieces of equipment attached to the steering […]
Governor Haslam Requests Disaster Recovery Assistance
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam formally requested assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help individuals and businesses in Henderson, Carroll, Chester, Decatur, Hardin and Madison Counties recover from wind, tornado and flooding damages that occurred on January 29, 2013. The assistance, if approved by the SBA, will come in the form of low-interest disaster […]
Crime Prevention Bills Score First Legislative Victory
Republican lawmakers on the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee this week passed a series of bills which continue the push for crime prevention in Tennessee. Building on the success Republicans had during the 2011-2012 legislative session to cut down on crime across the state, this new crime prevention package addresses issues related to crimes against children, […]
Governor Haslam, Commissioner Hagerty Announce New Tennessee Export Strategy and Foreign Offices
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty today announced an international strategy focused on increasing the exports of Tennessee goods to key markets around the globe. Efforts will be led by ECD’s International Division with new Export Development Offices in Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany serving the entire European Union, […]
Representative Jeremy Faison Spearheads Effort To Help Businesses
State Representative Jeremy Faison (R–Cosby) announced last week he has filed HB 311, a pro-small-business bill which helps companies across the state better conduct business. The Business Freedom Act would require that state departments give “no less than 20 days” for businesses to remedy non-compliance of a law before the department is allowed to assess a monetary […]
State Library and Archives Exhibits Go on the Road
Visitors to Collierville’s public library can learn about some of the state’s most horrific natural and human-caused disasters from an exhibit on loan from the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The “Disasters in Tennessee” exhibit will be on display at the Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr. Library, 501 Poplar View Parkway in Collierville, […]
Comptroller Issues Latest Quarterly Report on the State’s Fiscal Affairs
Comptroller Justin P. Wilson has issued his latest quarterly report on the fiscal affairs of the state. This report takes a global look at state finances. The report can be viewed online at: http://www.comptroller.tn.gov/repository/NR/20130205Feb2013ReportforWeb.pdf Comptroller Wilson presented the report to the General Assembly’s House and Senate finance committees Feb. 5.
State Insurance Division encourages Tennesseans to review coverage
Without looking, what is the value of the contents of your home covered by insurance? Is a flood covered? If someone is hurt while visiting you, will your insurance pay medical expenses? Whether you’re a renter or an owner, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Insurance Division suggests you review all your insurance […]
Report Examines Changes to Civics Education in Tennessee
Tennessee students will soon have to apply the lessons they learn about civics in the classroom to “real world” situations – a major departure from years past. Last year, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a law requiring school districts to assess students’ civic knowledge at least once in grades 4 through 8 and at least […]
State gets Federal Grant to help Expand Juvenile Court Screening Project
The state was recently awarded a federal Transformation Transfer Initiative (TTI) grant of $221,000 that will be used by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) to expand the juvenile court screening project, which will be led by Dr. Jeff Feix, Director of the Office of Forensic and Juvenile Court Services […]
