Bedford County receives $67.8 million in state appropriated expenditures says Sen. Tracy

NASHVILLE—Local State Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) announced that during the current 2009-2010 fiscal year approximately $67.8 million in state appropriated expenditures will find its way into Bedford County through various state agencies and programs.  Bedford County will also receive a portion of the $12.1 billion in federal funds that are included in Tennessee's $29.4 billion budget as adopted by the 106th General Assembly.
            The lawmaker listed budget appropriations for Bedford County in the following general categories:  

• $5.1 million in State-Shared Tax Collections;

• $33.5 million for Education (kindergarten through 12th grade);

• $17.1 million for Health and Social Services;

• $ 3.7 million for Law, Safety and Correction;

• $1.1 million for Recreation and Resources Development;

• $2.7 million for Economic Development and Higher Education; and

• $4.39 million for State Highway projects. 

 “This budget was developed as we were encountering an unprecedented downturn in the economy,” said Sen. Tracy.  “As a result, this budget, as well as the upcoming budget will be reflective of a shrinking government as we work to balance a budget that has lost over $1.2 in state tax revenue.”

Tracy pointed out that it is important to note that this budget was balanced by:

1. Making over $750 million in reductions

2. Using a significant amount of one-time funding

3. NOT raising taxes

4. NOT taking money away from the Highway Fund

5. NOT taking State-shared taxes away from local governments

"As we struggle to maintain a balanced budget in the upcoming fiscal year, we will continue to work to maintain many vital state funded programs and services now present in Bedford County,” Tracy concluded.

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Senator Crowe to unveil Civil War Trail markers at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site

(NASHVILLE, TN), October 28, 2009 -- State Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City) will unveil the Civil War Trails markers at Tipton-Haynes Historic Site on Saturday, October 31 at 11:00 a.m.  The Civil War Trails is a multi-state program that identifies, interprets and creates driving tours of both the great campaigns and lesser-known Civil War sites.  The five states currently involved in the program are Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

“I am very honored to be a part of this program which will benefit those who visit this historic site,” said Senator Crowe.  “These markers will serve as a great educational tool for those who want to learn more about the Civil War Trails in our area.  I appreciate all the work that has been done to make this project a reality.”

Directional “trailblazer” signs and a four-color interpretive marker with illustrations and test have been installed.  Visitors can read the interpretive marker as they enter the garden area leading to the museum lobby.  The text honors Confederate Senator Landon Carter Haynes.

The Tennessee Civil War Trails program is funded by a federal enhancement grant awarded the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.  The grant covered about 80 percent of the project, while Tipton-Haynes paid the remaining portion. 

Additional information about the program can be found at www.CivilWarTrails.org.

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Sen. Gresham announces support of legislation to aid small business owners

(NASHVILLE, TN), October 23, 2009 -- State Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) said today she supports legislative efforts to repeal a new law which requires certain construction subcontractors and independent contractors to carry workers’ compensation insurance on themselves.  The bill directly impacts small business owners who say the law, Public Chapter 1041, will cause them severe economic hardship and may cause them to close.

“I voted against this law when it came before us and I will continue to oppose it,” said Senator Gresham.  “This law imposes severe economic hardships on our small business owners and must be addressed during the upcoming legislative session.”

A Joint Worker Compensation Committee heard testimony on the effects of the new law in Nashville on October 22.  The committee heard from several small business owners, who say they cannot afford the additional expense.  Those most acutely impacted by the legislation are independent contractors and sole proprietors. Those testifying reiterated that requirements included in the new law will cost them at a time when business owners are struggling because of the recession, and may force them to close. 

“We should not be forcing mandates on small business owners, especially in the current economic climate,” Gresham added.  “This could cost our state many jobs at a time when we cannot afford it.  Hopefully, we can immediately take action to delay the implementation of this law upon the legislature’s return in January.

The legislature has adjourned until January 12.  The new law is scheduled to take effect on December 31.

Senator Gresham represents Senate District 26 which is comprised of Crockett, Haywood, Fayette, Hardeman, Chester, McNairy, Hardin, and Wayne Counties. 

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Senator Tracy announces Highway Safety Grants

(NASHVILLE, TN), October 22, 2009  - Senate Transportation Chairman Jim Tracy (R-Murfreesboro) said  today that he has been informed that 7 agencies in District 16, which he represents, will receive Highway Safety Grants.  The grants will be awarded to promote public safety on Tennessee roads.  , Moore, and part of Rutherford Counties 
"I am very pleased that so many agencies in our Senate District will receive these grants," said Senator Tracy.  "These funds should help us in our efforts to make our roads safer.”

The awards, which will be disbursed by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO), are provided to agencies that successfully applied for funding based on problem and statistical need.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding for GHSO grants.  Applications were reviewed and scored by the GHSO and external highway safety advocates.  The agencies that met the criteria for funding received awards. 

The District 16 awards include:

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Sen. Yager announces Highway Safety Grants

(NASHVILLE, TN), October 22, 2009  - State Senator Ken Yager (R-Harriman) said  today that he has been informed that 12 agencies in District 12, which he represents, will receive Highway Safety Grants.  The grants will be awarded to promote public safety on Tennessee roads.  District 12 consists of Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, and Scott Counties.

"I am very pleased that so many agencies in our Senate District will receive these grants," said Sen. Yager.  "These funds should help us in our efforts to make our roads safer.”

The awards, which will be disbursed by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO), are provided to agencies that successfully applied for funding based on problem and statistical need.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding for GHSO grants.  Applications were reviewed and scored by the GHSO and external highway safety advocates.  The agencies that met the criteria for funding received awards. 

The District 12 awards include:

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Senate Education Chairman Dolores Gresham endorses initiative to expand local college access

(NASHVILLE, TN), October 21, 2009  – Senate Education Chairman Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) today endorsed STEP (Southwest Tennessee Education Pathways), an initiative aimed at expanding college access for local students.  The initiative is designed to boost workforce development in the ten-county region around the West Tennessee Megasite.

“The STEP program is very important to the success of the Megasite,” said Chairman Gresham.  “I am pleased Tennessee is moving ahead with this program and look forward to hearing reports of its success in our Education Committee.”

The STEP program is modeled after the Ayers Foundation Scholarship Program, which has been very successful.  STEP has engaged the Ayers Foundation to provide expertise in organizing the program.  The initiative will begin with the recruitment and training of students in the admissions and financial aid processes.  Participating counties will then work with the program to provide “last dollar” scholarships to fill in the tuition gaps for students after all other sources of financial aid have been accessed.

 “The Ayers Foundation will be very valuable in assessing needs and resources,” added Chairman Gresham.  “With their help, and with the cooperation of local officials, this program should get off to a great start.”

Senator Gresham represents Senate District 26 which is comprised of Crockett, Haywood, Fayette, Hardeman, Chester, McNairy, Hardin, and Wayne Counties.

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Overbey to be Keynote Speaker at Annual Conference of the
Tennessee Association of Audiologists and Speech Pathologists

(NASHVILLE, TN), October 20, 2009  -- State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) will be the keynote speaker for the Annual Conference of the Tennessee Association of Audiologists and Speech Pathologists.  The event will take place at the Knoxville Convention Center on October 22 at 12:35 p.m. 

Overbey has been a supporter of maintaining the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Tennessee.  He was also the sponsor of the Autism Equity Act of 2006, legislation that was supported by the group.

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Great River Road gets Byways boost

Lifts hopes for tourism along West Tennessee stretch

By Richard Locker
October 20, 2009

NASHVILLE -- West Tennessee's 185-mile stretch of the Great River Road has been added to the federal government's America's Byways program, raising hopes for more tourism dollars in communities along the route from Memphis to the Kentucky border.

The U.S. Department of Transportation designated three Tennessee roadways into the America's Byways network last week -- raising Tennessee's total to five.

The other two byways listed last week are the East Tennessee Crossing, from Cumberland Gap to the North Carolina border, and Woodlands Trace, which bisects Land Between the Lakes in Tennessee and Kentucky.

Included with the Great River Road's designation is an $80,000 grant to develop a unified branding campaign and mark the various roads that make up the route through five West Tennessee counties.

"This puts us on the map in more ways than one," said state Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, whose district includes four of the five counties. "It acknowledges the significance of the recreational, historic, educational, cultural and economic benefits of our region and enhances our ability to market the best of West Tennessee and all its communities have to offer."

The Great River Road traverses roads on both sides of the Mississippi through 10 states. Tennessee has lagged behind the other states in promoting the corridor over the years and its former designated route, U.S. 51, has been altered significantly with the new designation.

The route new follows U.S. 51 north from Memphis, cuts west toward the river at Halls on Tenn. 181, then Tenn. 79 and Tenn. 78 to the Kentucky border. It also features several spur routes over to the river itself.

America's Byways was created by Congress in 1991 with the National Scenic Byways Act to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected U.S. roads. The program also seeks to promote tourism and economic development.

Tipton County Mayor Jeff Huffman, chairman of the Mississippi River Corridor Tennessee, a Memphis-based nonprofit that led the push for the Byways designation, said the listing gives counties along the corridor opportunities to apply for far more federal grants to help improve access and promote resources.

"It's the first time in 11 years that Tennessee has had a new National Scenic Highway designation, so that's big," he said Monday.

Richard Locker is Nashville bureau chief for The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at (615) 255-4923.

America's Byways in Tennessee

Great River Road: 185 miles in Tennessee (part of 2,069 miles through 10 states from Minnesota to Louisiana) through five counties. Designated last week.

East Tennessee Crossing: 83 miles from Cumberland Gap along U.S. 25-E and U.S. 25 across Clinch Mountain, Cherokee Lake and Douglas Lake to the North Carolina border near Del Rio, Tenn. Designated last week.

Woodlands Trace: 43 miles in Tennessee and Kentucky through Land Between the Lakes (Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Designated last week.

Cherohala Skyway: 44 miles in Tennessee and North Carolina from Tellico Plains, Tenn., across the mountains in the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests into North Carolina. Designated an America's Byway in 1998.

Natchez Trace Parkway: 440 miles through Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi between Nashville and Natchez, Miss. Designated in 1996.

Arkansas has three America's Byways and Mississippi has two.

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Sen. Overbey appointed to Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Council

(NASHVILLE, TN), October 16, 2009 --- State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) has been appointed to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Statewide Planning and Policy Council.  The appointment was made by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey in Nashville this week. 

“I am very pleased to be appointed to this Council” said Sen. Overbey, who serves on the Health and Human Resources Committee in the Senate, which oversees matters involving mental health and developmental disability issues.  “I look forward to being a part of working with my colleagues on the Council to improve opportunities for these citizens.”

Overbey has introduced numerous bills over the past several years to help citizens in need of mental health services, including a law passed this year that would ensure that crisis services continue to be available.  That new law requires the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to coordinate with other departments and agencies of state government to make sure that services for persons in psychiatric emergencies include a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week toll free telephone number, and walk-in triage screening, assessment, intervention and follow-up care.  It also calls for access to in-house crisis care.

Overbey represents Blount and Sevier Counties in District 8 in the State Senate.

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Sen. Faulk announces Highway Safety Grants

(NASHVILLE, TN), October 15, 2009  - State Senator Mike Faulk (R-Church Hill) said  today that he has been informed that 14 agencies in District 4, which he represents, will receive Highway Safety Grants.  The grants will be awarded to promote public safety on Tennessee roads. 

"I am very pleased that so many agencies in our Senate District will receive these grants," said Sen. Faulk.  "These funds should help us in our efforts to make our roads safer.”

The awards, which will be disbursed by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO), are provided to agencies that successfully applied for funding based on problem and statistical need.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding for GHSO grants.  Applications were reviewed and scored by the GHSO and external highway safety advocates.  The agencies that met the criteria for funding received awards. 

The District 4 awards include:

Claiborne County

Claiborne / Union Counties

Grainger  County

Grainger / Jefferson Counties

Hawkins County

Jefferson County

Union County

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