Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898
Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898
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As families across the state gather on this Independence Day to observe the founding of our nation’s freedom with family picnics, fireworks, and other special events, may we all remember those who have fought and are still fighting for our freedom. We have much to be proud of in Tennessee regarding our state’s rich heritage in fighting for the precious rights we all enjoy as Americans. As we look back to our nation’s first struggles in the American Revolution, even before Tennessee became a sta...
Education Budget – The new 2021-2022 state budget includes over $730 million in new spending for education, including money allocated during the special session in January. This includes over $480 million on K-12 Education and over $240 million on higher education. Funding for K-12 Education includes $120 million to increase teacher salaries in the BEP, in addition to the $43 million appropriated in special session for retroactive increases beginning January 1, 2021; $62 million for annual g...
5 Session of the 112th General Assembly Legislation approved this year help bring the dream of a college education to more Tennessee Students Now, more than ever, our young people need a post-secondary degree or certificate to get a good job, take care of their families, and achieve the American dream of a college education. Legislation recently passed by the General Assembly works to accomplish this by providing additional scholarship opportunities to Tennessee students. Data shows that our...
Legislation gives patients more control over prescription drugs - The Patient Access Choice and Transparency Act, legislation prioritizing patient-centered care by making certain reforms to how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) operate in Tennessee, was approved by the House and Senate this year. Senate Bill 1617 would help ensure patients can use the pharmacies they choose and trust rather than being forced by their insurance companies to use specialty pharmacies that often don’t meet p...
Honoring the Fallen: Memorial Day On Monday May 31st we celebrate Memorial Day. A solemn time for our nation when we pause to reflect and honor the memory of those departed who have served our country in the uniforms of our armed forces. There is no greater honor than serving your country and we take the time to remember and celebrate those that have gave so much for our country. We spend this day remembering the soldiers through the centuries who have come together to fight for a common cause....
The first session of the 112th General Assembly ended on May 5th after a very successful year. Criminal Justice reform was one of the main focuses of this year. The 2021 session will be remembered for historic “tough on crime – smart on crime” legislation. This includes a bill which passed during the final week to ensure certain violent sex offenders serve 100 percent of their sentences, as well as numerous bills addressing human trafficking and providing aid to crime victims. It also inclu...
The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned the 2021 legislative session on May 5 after acting on major bills to increase scholarship opportunities for students and help turn around struggling schools. The year began with passage of landmark legislation in a special session to boost student literacy and to recover learning losses suffered in one of the most turbulent school years in state history due to the pandemic. The regular legislative session saw action to strengthen Tennessee’s economic r...
General Assembly passes key bills, including budget, as lawmakers look to close 2021 session The state budget led a host of important bills that were approved during the week of April 26th as lawmakers prepare to close the 2021 legislative session. The General Assembly, which is looking to adjourn the week of May 3rd has completed the vast majority of its business with most of the remaining action pending on bills that were behind the budget due to their cost. The no-debt budget, which will...
It has been busy on Capitol Hill during the week of April 19th, with Tennessee lawmakers acting on some of the most important bills of this legislative session. With the closure of two more Senate Committees, action for the remainder of the 2021 legislative session will shift to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, which considers all legislation that affects the state budget, and the Senate floor, as bills pass final consideration. Transparency of Foreign Influence on State College and...
Action on Capitol Hill continued to shift from committees to the floor of the Senate during the week of April 12th as lawmakers worked diligently to approve many important bills. The State and Local Government Committee, Health and Welfare Committee and Government Operations Committee joined four other standing Senate committees which have completed their business for the 2021 legislative session. Only the Judiciary Committee, the Commerce Committee, and the Finance, Ways and Means Committee...
Bill provides local boards of health act only in advisory role to elected county mayors regarding COVID-19 restrictions The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee approved legislation to help ensure COVID-19 vaccines remain voluntary and that medical information reflecting the status of a person’s vaccination cannot be required by any state entities in Tennessee. Senate Bill 858 prohibits a state or local governmental official, entity, department or agency from mandating a private business to requi...
Several major public safety bills advanced in the Tennessee Senate during the week of March 29th, including “Truth in Sentencing” legislation which strengthens protections for victims and their families. Senate Bill 717 ensures certain violent or sexual offenders serve 100 percent of the sentence imposed by a judge or jury. It affects offenses that historically target women and children such as rape, sexual battery, continuous sexual abuse of a child, sexual battery by an authority figure, inc...
Legislation to give patients more control over their prescription drugs passes Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Legislation to make certain reforms to how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) operate in Tennessee was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee. Senate Bill 1617 would help ensure patients can use the pharmacies they choose and trust rather than being forced by their insurance companies to use specialty pharmacies that often don’t meet patients’ needs. This is particularly imp...
Legislation which aims to get bureaucracy out of the way in the reopening of hospitals in Tennessee’s distressed rural counties overcame its first hurdle during the week of March 8th with approval by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Senate Bill 255 would permit the reestablishment of a hospital, without first obtaining a Certificate of Need (CON), in distressed counties designated by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development as tier two, three, or four. CON is a lega...
Tennessee lawmakers worked at full steam during the week of February 22nd as Senate Committees began to examine budgets of departments/agencies of state government and discuss key pieces of legislation. Some of the important proposals that passed through committees are detailed below. Tennessee Promise Scholarships - Legislation creating a pilot program for Tennessee Promise students with financial hardships advanced through the Senate Education Committee on 2/24/2021. The Tennessee Promise...
The budget moved front and center on Capitol Hill during the week of February 8th as Governor Bill Lee presented his proposal to fund state government with improvements prioritizing education, health care, and job development, particularly Tennessee’s rural communities. Lee’s State of the State / Budget Address was also highlighted by an accounting of Tennessee’s COVID-19 response and plans for a full economic recovery. Consistent with conservative principles, the budget does not propose new t...
Top ranking is testament to innovative post-secondary education initiatives Tennessee’s innovative workforce partnerships and game-changing education reform for skills which are in high demand has created a steady pipeline of qualified workers. It has led to Tennessee being ranked first in the South Central Region for workforce development according to Site Selection Magazine. Tennessee is leading the way nationwide in post-secondary education initiatives, including Governor’s Investment in Voc...
The General Assembly passed major legislation during the week of January 18th to address unprecedented student learning losses as a result of COVID-19 related school closures and time spent away from the classroom. It was the 62nd Extraordinary Session in the history of the state. Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act – Research data estimates a 50% decrease in proficiency rates in 3rd grade reading and a 65% decrease in proficiency rates in math due to the effects of...
The 112th General Assembly has begun as state lawmakers gathered on Capitol Hill during the week of January 12th to take the oath of office, elect officers and organize the business of the 2021-2022 legislative sessions. This was highlighted by approval of a historic Tennessee Medicaid block grant waiver amendment agreement with the federal government that will improve quality and access to health care in the state. Tennessee is the first state in the nation to receive such an agreement. In...
January 14, 2019 --- State Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) has been reappointed to the leadership of the Senate’s most powerful committee, the Finance, Ways and Means Committee. The announcement was made by Lt. Governor Randy McNally as the General Assembly wrapped up organizational duties for the 2021-2022 sessions. The committee has the responsibility of considering all measures dealing with the appropriation of state funds and has oversight regarding legislation pertaining to bonds, p...
New law ensures 911 operators are trained for CPR – Legislation is set to become effective January 1 to ensure 911 operators across the state are prepared to provide cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) instructions to a caller in an emergency situation. Previously, not all counties allowed 911 operators to run callers through CPR instructions. According to the American Heart Association, each year an estimated 350,000 sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) events occur in the United States in an o...
Thanksgiving is the unofficial beginning of the Holiday season and it has different meanings to each of us. For most it is being with family and friends, having too much delicious food, and watching some football. Let’s not forget the huge sale papers advertising the bargains to be had by the early shoppers on “Black Friday”. Most everyone is familiar with the story of the “first” Thanksgiving with the pilgrims and the Indians, but I wonder how many know about the Proclamation issued by George W...
Thanking our Veterans Most veteran issues are handled through the federal government in Washington, but I believe that anything we can do at the state level should be done. Some Americans confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. What’s more, some Americans don’t know why we commemorate our Veterans on November 11th. It’s important that all Americans know the history of Veterans Day so that we can honor our former service members properly. Both holidays celebrate our veterans’ service, but wit...
Veteran related legislation and Affordable Housing Legislation helps THDA low interest loan program serve first-time homebuyers and veterans – Legislation to increase the Tennessee Housing Development Authority’s (THDA) Great Choice Mortgage Program’s debt limit was approved this year. The program, which uses tax-exempt bonds to make low-interest mortgages to first-time homebuyers and veterans, was created to make homeownership more available and affordable for Tennesseans. The Tennessee Gener...
Election Laws With early voting beginning, I wanted to address legislation that was passed during the 2020 session regarding voting, election laws, and upholding the integrity of the election process. Please join me in exercising your right and getting out to vote, whether that be through early voting or coming out on November 3rd for election day! You can use the GoVoteTN app to find voting locations near you and to get information on candidates in your district. New law aims to strengthen inte...
