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…

Legislation Aimed At Protecting Elderly Tennesseans From Abuse Moves Forward Legislation sponsored by House Republicans that cracks down on elder abuse and exploitation continues to advance through the House committee process. House Bill 810, known as the Elderly and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act, closes legal loopholes in existing abuse laws to further protect some of our…

Legislation To Help Adults, National Guard Members Access Higher Education Wins House Approval A key legislative initiative spearheaded by House Republicans to help adults without a degree access higher education, as well as a bill aimed at expanding access to college for Tennessee military men and women won approval this week after passing the full…

Social Studies Review Committee Approves Language To Incorporate Civics Into School Standards This week, the Tennessee Social Studies Review Committee (SRC) approved language that will incorporate the study of civic matters into the Tennessee social studies standards for the 2017-2018 academic years. The approval is designed to make civics more prevalent in public education courses across…

Broadband Accessibility Act Clears Additional Key Legislative Hurdle House Bill 529, the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act, cleared an additional key legislative hurdle this week after gaining unanimous approval from the House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee. As introduced, the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act seeks to expand broadband internet services across the state, especially to Tennessee’s rural…

Legislation To Help Adults Without A Degree Access Higher Education Moves Forward In House Legislation spearheaded by House Republicans to help adults without a degree access higher education moved forward this week after getting a positive nod from the House Government Operations Committee. House Bill 531, named the Tennessee Reconnect Act, would make Tennessee the first…

House Republicans Demonstrate Continued Support For Military Veterans, Families House Republicans demonstrated continued support for veterans and their families this week, moving forward with two major bills to expand access to education in Tennessee. The House Government Operations Committee gave a positive nod for the Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act…