Nashville, Tenn. — Recently, the Greater Nashville Regional Council honored State Representative Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet) as its “Legislator of the Year” during its May executive board meeting. This award is given annually to one member from both the House and Senate for their work towards the legislative priorities of area mayors.
“As an organization, we are grateful to Rep. Lynn for her tireless efforts and continued leadership on behalf of Middle Tennesseans,” said City of Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, president of the Regional Council. “She has been a tremendous advocate for the citizens of her community and our state. The men, women, and families of District 57 are fortunate to have her represent them and serve as their voice in Nashville.”
“I am honored to receive this award from the Greater Nashville Regional Council,” said Rep. Lynn. “I hear the needs of our residents, and I have fought for them throughout my time in our General Assembly. Together, my colleagues and I work to create solutions that improve the health, safety and overall quality of life for our residents and those across Tennessee.”
This is Lynn’s third time being recognized as legislator of the year by the Regional Council. She received the award— in large part — for her work to help address Tennessee’s growing challenges related to maintaining and improving the state’s transportation system.
With Rep. Lynn’s support, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the IMPROVE Act in 2017 – the first major transportation legislation signed into law in more than a quarter century. This initiative used the budget surplus to provide historic tax cuts while also creating a dedicated source of funding to cut down on the $10 billion backlog of road projects currently on Tennessee’s books.
Locally, Middle Tennessee’s rapid population growth has caused traffic congestion to spike on area roadways, ushering in calls from residents and businesses for more options to move around the region.
“I held eleven town hall meetings – my district told me that they preferred the IMPROVE Act,” stated Lynn. “We have been able to fund construction on State Route 141, State Route 109, and now another widening project has been announced for Interstate 40 in Wilson County, and many other smaller projects are ongoing. These projects are the culmination of several years of hard work, and it is extremely rewarding to see them finally get underway.”
The Regional Council consists of 52 city mayors and 13 county mayors/executives. The Council, which is one of nine development districts created by the legislature in 1965, serves as the primary forum for collaboration and problem solving among mayors in Middle Tennessee. This agency administers a variety of state and federal grants programs on behalf of local governments and state agencies. The Council’s 80 full-time professionals provide economic and community development assistance, policy and planning services, and aging and disability counseling across Middle Tennessee.
Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto praised Representative Lynn for her concern for the region, and actions related to transportation, growth and development.
“Regional planning as it relates to transportation, growth and development is vitally important for the Middle Tennessee Region. I am so thankful that we have a legislator in Wilson County who takes the time to consider our future. Congrats to Representative Susan Lynn on all of her efforts to keep the GNRC and the Middle Tennessee Region moving forward.”
For more information on the Greater Nashville Regional Council, please visit GNRC.org.
Susan Lynn serves as the Chairman of the House Consumer & Human Resources Subcommittee. Lynn is also a member of the House Consumer & Human Resources, House Finance Ways & Means and House Ethics Committee, as well as the Joint Fiscal Review Committee. She lives in Mount Juliet and represents House District 57, which includes Wilson County. Lynn can be reached by email at Rep.Susan.Lynn@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-7462.