“Discipline helps you finish a job, and finishing is what separates excellent work from average work.” –Pat Summitt
Legislators are hard at work at the State Capitol this week. The committee system and the House floor sessions are packed with many pieces of legislation. The State House has 482 bills in our committees this week. Many of these bills will die in committee or will not be funded and therefore not pass into law.
One bill that might be of interest to you is the Tennessee Information Protection Act. It requires large technology companies to fully disclose to consumers what information is being collected about them through their online activities. Online platforms will be required to disclose up-front exactly what personal information will be collected and how they intend to use it. Tennesseans will have the ability to “opt-out” of the selling of their personal information to third parties without discrimination.
Another item of interest is that David Crockett will finally be honored with a statue on Capitol grounds. A commission was created in 2012 to find a home for the statue and we have finally found a place. It will have a prime spot on a pedestal above the tunnel entrance to the Capitol and can be easily seen as people drive down one of the main roads in downtown Nashville.
Many committee chairmen have already announced their last calendars. When this happens, they will likely be closing in the next 2 weeks. That means that the end of Session is just around the corner. Over the last 4 or 5 years, the Legislative Session has ended around the 1st of May.
We are starting to get out to more meetings and events back in our district. The Lincoln County Farm Bureau had a legislative update breakfast last week and I got to visit with several friends in Fayetteville. We had a great talk and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast cooked by the Farm Bureau membership.
Also last week, Senator Shane Reeves and I had dinner with Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright, new city manager- Josh Ray, and the members of the entire council. We had some great discussion about the city’s needs and about things going on at the Capitol.
Senator Reeves and I also had a productive Zoom meeting with Matt Ledbetter and many members of the Bedford County Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau of TN really helps me out on Ag related bills and the legislators listen carefully when the Farm Bureau speaks.
I ran into our great District Attorney, Rob Carter, in the hall outside of one of the committee rooms. He was up here making sure that we don’t mess up some of the laws he’s trying to enforce.
I went with several legislators to the Governor’s Prayer Service at the Opry House at 7 am on Wednesday and witnessed a wonderful hour of beautiful music, inspirational speeches, and much needed prayers. Former Governor and Senator Lamar Alexander even treated us to a rendition of “Amazing Grace” on the piano from the Opry stage. Governor Bill Lee’s short talk and prayer was inspirational and helped me start off the day in a great way!
My wife, Mary, and I went last week to get our first vaccine for the virus and already feel much safer. I want to encourage all of you to go get the shot and let’s end this terrible situation.
If I can ever be of service, please let me know. You can reach my office in the Cordell Hull Building by phone at 615-741-6824 or email [email protected]. I’m honored to serve District 62 and look forward to seeing everyone again soon as we start to open back up.
