(NASHVILLE) — State Representative Ron Gant (R-Rossville) has officially passed his first bill in the Tennessee House of Representatives. House Bill 306 cuts out government regulations and red tape by removing license requirements for small businesses. It was endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and will now travel to the desk of Governor…

(NASHVILLE) — Republican lawmakers have unanimously passed legislation sponsored by State Representative John Crawford (R-Kingsport) that provides additional assistance to Gatlinburg fire victims during their ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts. House Bill 1166, also known as the Gatlinburg Bill, grants county highway departments access to private property at the request of the property owner in order…

(NASHVILLE) — State Representative Ryan Williams (R–Cookeville) announced today that the State Building Commission has officially approved a project at Tennessee Tech University to construct a new complex that will include a poultry unit and a multipurpose facility for production and processing poultry. The grant funding for the new Tennessee Center for Poultry Science comes as…

(NASHVILLE) — Monday evening, Republican lawmakers unanimously approved legislation sponsored by House Majority Assistant Leader David Hawk (R-Greeneville) designed to enhance transportation safety for Tennessee students. House Bill 322 requires all school districts, as well as charter schools to appoint a transportation supervisor to monitor and oversee student transportation. This supervisor must receive annual training developed…

NASHVILLE – Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) and Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) have appointed Vernon H. Stafford, Jr. of Memphis to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Stafford is the Executive Vice President and Chief Audit Executive of the First Horizon National Corporation, the holding company for First Tennessee Bank. “I am…

(NASHVILLE) — This week, Republican lawmakers unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 88 carried by Representative Jay Reedy (R-Erin) to honor Tennessee’s blind citizens and American history. House Joint Resolution 88 calls for a tactile braille American flag to be displayed in the new Cordell Hull legislative office building, which the General Assembly is set to move…

An op-ed from Rep. Ryan Williams, First Lady Crissy Haslam, and Kristen Rector. Parenthood is one of the most rewarding jobs an adult will ever have; it is also one of the most difficult. Sleepless nights, stress-filled days or an unforeseen crisis can overwhelm any parent. Sadly, an overwhelmed parent can result in a neglected or…