Young Historians Descend on Downtown Nashville for Tennessee History Day
With state employees and other downtown office workers home for the weekend, a special group of students will be converging on downtown Nashville Saturday to compete in Tennessee History Day. About 400 sixth- through 12-graders will be participating, with the winners advancing to the National History Day finals in College Park, Maryland June 9-13. History […]
Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations
Last week, the House passed legislation I introduced to address the ongoing legal chaos that surrounds the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). On January 4, 2012, President Obama made three so-called recess appointments to the NLRB while the Senate was regularly meeting in pro forma session. These appointments were unprecedented—no other president has bypassed the […]
Legislation Providing Hall Income Tax Relief for Senior Citizens Heads For Governor’s Signature
More senior citizens will qualify for Hall income tax relief under legislation approved by the Tennessee House of Representatives this week. House Bill 192 is part of Governor Bill Haslam’s legislative package to provide tax relief to citizens across the state. The Hall tax is imposed on income derived from interest on bonds, notes, and […]
Pension Reform Plan Passes House and Senate, Awaits Governor’s Signature
A set of reforms designed to improve the long-term stability of the state’s pension plan was approved by the state House of Representatives Thursday. The bill will not affect the retirement benefits for current state employees, higher education employees, or teachers or those who are already retired. The proposed changes will only apply to state […]
Tennessee’s Financial Literacy Program Seeks to Double Its Outreach Efforts
Fueled by a strong fundraising effort Tuesday night, the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission plans to double its unique outreach efforts this year. The Financial Literacy Commission, a nonprofit organization administered by the Tennessee Treasury Department, raised more than $150,000 from private donors at a reception and dinner held at the State Capitol. Those funds, supplemented […]
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 […]
