Budget Discussion Begins On House Floor This week in Nashville, lawmakers began discussion and debate regarding the state’s annual budget amongst the full legislative body on the House floor. As originally proposed, the $37 billion budget cuts taxes, puts $132 million in the state’s Rainy Day Fund, fully funds Tennessee’s educational system, and focuses in on…

Greetings, Fabulous Folks of the Fortieth, With the first half of the 110th General Assembly only a few days away from standing in recess, to say that session has been a whirlwind is a tremendous understatement, indeed!  No other time in my working for District 40 can I recall the enormous amount of tension on the…

This week, State Representative Ron Gant (R-Rossville) passed House Bill 445, with unanimous support. HB 445 was brought to Rep. Gant by State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) and it authorizes the development of work-based learning within Tennessee Board of Regents schools. This important piece of legislation arose through an important partnership between the Tennessee Labor Education…

2017-2018 Budget Amendment Introduced Legislation includes $11 million for Gatlinburg/Sevier County, investment in Substance Abuse Services This week, Governor Bill Haslam introduced his amendment to the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget proposal that will be considered by the 110th General Assembly in the coming days. The appropriations amendment tracks closely to the Governor’s original budget proposal presented…