Vital Policy – Jefferson County Republicans Hold Town Hall, Event Draws Speakers from Across State, School Board and County Commission Races Discussed
Nearly one hundred Jefferson County Republicans held a town hall meeting recently to discuss issues of interest. High on the list of priorities were topics related to fiscal responsibility, teaching constitutional principles in public schools, the importance of electing conservative officials that are willing to protect the founding principles of the nation and exercise fiscal […]
VITAL POLICY – Ogles Successfully Sponsors Legislation to Protect Small Business in Tennessee, Eliminating Discrimination by Local Governments
Tennessee saw more than 1200 small businesses close permanently in 2020, due primarily to forced closures from Covid-19 restrictions, this according to For All Tennessee, a public interest non-profit organization that lobbies for economic freedom, personal liberty, and the constitutional treatment of citizens. In response to mass business closures and the discriminatory labeling of certain […]
VITAL POLICY – Getting Jefferson County’s Financial House In Order – A Path To Providing Better Education Services
My 5th Grade teacher, Nancy Jones, always gave her students sound advice, especially in the areas of life, respect, and humility. If you are going to criticize someone, she would say, at least be willing to suggest a better plan or be willing to listen to the ideas of others. We have a set of […]
Vital Policy – Property Rights Protection Bills Delayed by Special Interest Groups in Tennessee General Assembly
For the second legislative session in a row, housing authority and community development agency lobbyists have persuaded state legislators to place property rights protection bills on the back burner. A bill filled in 2020 to prevent eminent domain proceedings against non-blighted property in a redevelopment area was opposed by Knoxville Community Development Corporation (KCDC). Speaking […]
Vital Policy – Jefferson County and City of Farragut Make Resolutions Expressing Concerns Over 5G Small Cell Installations, State Legislation Pending
What do the governments of Farragut and Jefferson County, Tennessee have in common, two seemingly unlike jurisdictions? In addition to the typical tax and public service issues that all municipalities grapple with, that would be the safety and property rights concerns of 5G small cell support structure installations in public rights of way, as well […]
Tennessee Legislature Considers Return to Elected School Directors
Nearly three decades ago, state lawmakers changed the way school directors are chosen in the state of Tennessee. Abandoning the process of electing school directors was part of a sweeping education reform act known as the Education Improvement Act of 1992. Changes were made to a wide variety of education policies including school fees, BEP […]
Vital Policy – Legislation Filed to Protect Property Rights, Sponsors Niceley and Carr
State legislators will be considering proposed legislation in the current General Assembly aimed at protecting private property from eminent domain abuse. Under current Tennessee law, “blighted areas” are so broadly defined that virtually any property is at risk of condemnation by local housing authorities as part of a redevelopment plan. The proposed legislation, if enacted, […]
VITAL POLICY – Third Time May be a Charm for School Vouchers – Tennessee Supreme Court to Hear Case
In a court order filed February 4, 2021, the Tennessee Supreme Court granted permission for appeal and ordered the school voucher case to be set for oral arguments upon filing of briefs. After the General Assembly enacted the controversial ESA school voucher pilot program in 2019, a Chancery Court in Davidson County ruled that ESA’s […]
Niceley Pushes State Legislation to End Bond Requirement in Civil Forfeiture Cases
In 2014 the amount of property and cash seized by federal law enforcement under civil asset forfeiture was $4.5 billion. That figure does not include the billions in cash and property seized by state governments. According to FBI data, the amount taken in the United States by criminals that same year was $3.9 billion, making […]
