Get Your Mule Fix Online at the State Library and Archives
Columbia is home to one of the biggest Mule Day celebrations in the world, but not everyone has been able to make it to the many events held in the Maury County town this week. But if you live too far away (or are just too stubborn) to participate in the festivities, don’t fret. If […]
House of Representatives Working Hard To Conclude 2013 Legislative Business
The Tennessee House of Representatives is working at full steam this week as business for the 2013 legislative session in Nashville begins to wind down and important bills make their way to the House floor for final action. As progress continues to be made over the next several weeks, the legislature will begin debate on […]
Tennessee Electronic Library Adds Online Language Learning Program
Learning a new language just got a little easier, thanks to a new service that’s being offered by the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL). Powerspeak Languages, an interactive online experience, allows everyone in Tennessee to learn new languages on their own schedules. This program is ideal for students, business professionals, leisure travelers, or anyone who simply […]
Secretary Hargett Warns Businesses of Statewide Corporate Scam
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office has received inquiries about an official-looking notice from Corporate Records Service. It appears that these notices began arriving in mailboxes around January 22, 2013 and Tennesseans are continuing to receive them. Corporate Records Service is not registered, affiliated, or associated with the Tennessee Secretary of State. The mailer […]
Legislation Providing Hall Income Tax Relief for Senior Citizens Passes Finance Subcommittee
More senior citizens will qualify for Hall income tax relief under Republican-sponsored legislation approved by the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee this week. House Bill 192 is part of Governor Bill Haslam’s legislative package to provide tax relief to citizens across the state. The package also includes House Bill 193 to reduce the state […]
Governor Bill Haslam Announces Tennessee Will Not Expand Medicaid Rolls
Governor Bill Haslam announced this week to a Joint Session of the Tennessee General Assembly that he will not expand the state’s Medicaid rolls pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as ObamaCare. Instead, Haslam plans to independently pursue a “Tennessee Plan” for expanding healthcare coverage to those truly in […]
Unemployment Insurance Program Plagued by Overpayments and Delayed Benefits
The $1.2 billion unemployment insurance program administered by the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development has made overpayments exceeding $73 million due to fraud and errors over the last six years. State auditors found that the department’s internal controls for the program were ineffective or non-existent, resulting in overpayments of claims due to fraud […]
Governor Haslam Observes Milestone Anniversary to Recognize Vietnam Veterans
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder formally recognized and remembered Vietnam Veterans leading into the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of troops. On March 30, 1973, President Richard Nixon began withdrawing combat troops from Vietnam. Between 1961 and 1975, more than 49,000 Tennesseans served in Southeast Asia. Approximately 6,000 […]
Bill To Better Protect Student Athletes Awaits Signature From Governor Haslam
A Republican-authored bill designed to protect student athletes who suffer concussions from risking further medical complications passed the full House floor this week with support from lawmakers on both sides of the isle. House Bill 867, as passed by both the House and Senate, will ensure guidelines are in place to help coaches, youth athletic […]
Pension Reform Plan Moves Forward In House
Legislation proposed earlier this month to reform the state’s pension plan, the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), passed out of the House State Government Committee this week with full support from Republican lawmakers. The legislation represents a proactive approach by State Treasurer David H. Lillard and House Republicans to ensure the security of pension benefits […]
House Republicans Continue Push To Lower Sales Tax On Groceries
A bill which seeks to lower the sales tax on groceries from 5.25% to a flat 5.00% passed out of the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee this week with unanimous support from Republican lawmakers. House Bill 193, which is part of Governor Bill Haslam’s legislative agenda for the year, will take effect beginning July […]
TDOT Creates Office of Community Transportation
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is announcing the creation of the Office of Community Transportation (OCT). The mission of the OCT is to coordinate transportation planning and local land use decisions to guide the development of a safe and efficient statewide transportation system. “We really want to increase the level of collaboration between TDOT and […]
Faison’s Business Freedom Act Gains Approval
Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) sponsored House Bill 311, the Business Freedom Act. HB 311 pushes back against over-bearing government and is a huge step for small business owners. The bill would require state departments to give businesses notification and time to correct a problem before issuing fines. This provision would only apply to new rules […]
Tennessee’s State Pension Fund Rated Best in Nation for Investment Strategy
Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), the state’s retirement fund for state government, higher education and other public employees, is managing its investments better than any other large public pension plan in the country. So says Money Management Intelligence, a publication featuring news, trends and analysis about and for institutional investors. TCRS, which is part of […]
Tennessee Electronic Library Provides Help for High School Equivalency Test Takers
Requirements for earning a high school equivalency diploma are set to change next year, which may set off a scramble among people hoping to complete their course work under the existing rules. The format of the General Educational Development test, commonly known as the GED, will change January 1, 2014 – which means that people […]
Republican Lawmakers Continue Push To Improve Tennessee Education
A proposal presented by Governor Bill Haslam and Republican lawmakers to improve education in Tennessee easily cleared the full House Education Committee this week. House Bill 190, referred to as the ‘Tennessee Choice & Opportunity Scholarship Act’, would give low-income families with students stuck in the lowest performing schools the opportunity to seek educational options […]
