(NASHVILLE, TN), June 30, 2010 – Local State Senator Ken Yager and Rep. Les Winningham announced today that Burchfield Elementary School in Scott County will receive $3,700 in grant money from the Tennessee Arts Commission.   The grant was awarded through the Commission’s Art Education / Artist in Residence category.

“We are delighted that this local school has received grant money for the arts,” said Senator Yager.  “I am sure they will put these funds to good use,” added Rep. Winningham. 

The Tennessee Arts Commission’s matching grants are made possible in part through the sale of specialty license plates.  The Commission will award over 850 community grants for the 2011 fiscal year, totaling $7.3 million. The allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate disciplines and a final review by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission. 

The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences, ensure the citizens of Tennessee have access to and participate in the arts.  Additional information is available at www.arts.state.tn.us.

(NASHVILLE, TN), June 29, 2010 – State Randy McNally (R- Oak Ridge) announced today that seven Anderson County arts organizations will receive a combined $108,780 in grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission.  The organizations include the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, Museum of Appalachia, Inc., Appalachian Arts Craft Center, Tennessee Mountain Writers, Inc., Oak Ridge Community Art Center, Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, and Oak Ridge Community Playhouse.

“We are delighted that the Tennessee Arts Commission allocated grant money for these worthy arts efforts in our area,” said Senator McNally.  “These grants will be used to promote the arts in our community.”  

The Tennessee Art’s Commission’s matching grants are made possible through an appropriation of funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who buy specialty license plates.  The Tennessee Arts Commission will award over 850 community grants for the 2011 fiscal year, totaling $7.3 million. The allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate disciplines and a final review by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission. 

The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences, ensure the citizens of Tennessee have access to and participate in the arts.  Additional information is available at www.arts.state.tn.us.

(NASHVILLE, TN), June 29, 2010 – State Randy McNally (R- Oak Ridge) announced today that three Monroe County arts organizations will receive a combined $19,500 in grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission.  The organizations include the Fort Loudoun Association, Monroe Area Council for the Arts, Museum of Cherokee Indian Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.  Also included in the grants is the Sweetwater City School System which received an Arts Education / Artist in Residence grant.

“We are delighted that the Tennessee Arts Commission allocated grant money for these worthy arts efforts in our area,” said Senator McNally.  “These grants will be used to promote the arts in our community.”  

The Tennessee Arts Commission’s matching grants are made possible through an appropriation of funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who buy specialty license plates.  The Tennessee Arts Commission will award over 850 community grants for the 2011 fiscal year, totaling $7.3 million. The allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate disciplines and a final review by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission. 

The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences, ensure the citizens of Tennessee have access to and participate in the arts.  Additional information is available at www.arts.state.tn.us.

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Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov

 (NASHVILLE, TN), June 25, 2010 -- State Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin) today called on Governor Phil Bredesen to sign legislation she co-sponsored requiring Tennessee jails to send information to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement office (ICE) regarding prisoners who do not have documentation that they are in the U.S. legally.  The bill requires the jail keeper to fax, email or send a copy of the booking information.  Last week the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) made a plea to the Governor to veto the legislation.

“We worked very hard to pass a strong bill to make sure our communities are safer,” said Senator Black.  “I strongly encourage the Governor to review this matter carefully and to sign this legislation.”

The bill was transmitted to the Governor on June 16.  The Governor has 10 days after that date to sign the legislation, veto it, or to let it become law without his signature.  The 10 days do not apply to Sundays, meaning he has until Monday to make a decision on the matter.

Under an amendment added by Senator Black and adopted by the House and Senate, the legislation calls for statewide standards to be developed by the POST (Police Officers Standard Training) Commission.  Black's amendment applied the bill statewide so that every county in Tennessee has the same uniform standard and that sheriff's do not become vulnerable to lawsuits. The only counties not covered under the legislation, as the bill was passed, are those who have already entered into a memorandum of understanding with the United States Department of Homeland Security or ICE concerning enforcement of federal immigration laws.

“Washington has failed to control our borders and so we as state leaders must take action,” added Black.  “This is a tough, statewide standard that will ensure that America's immigration laws will be enforced at the local level. We have to stop illegal immigration in this country and if Washington won't, we in Tennessee will.  The Governor should sign this legislation so Tennessee will not be a haven for illegal aliens."

If signed, the bill will take effect January 1, 2011.

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher, 741-6336
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(NASHVILLE, TN), June 23, 2010 – State Senator Ken Yager (R-Harriman) and Representative Les Winningham (D-Oneida) announced today that the Oneida Special School District has been awarded $27,840 in grant incentive funds from Tennessee's Energy Efficient Schools Initiative.  The funds will be used to install energy efficient lighting at the Oneida Middle and High Schools.

“This grant is especially needed this year as the cold winter weather put a strain on school budgets to keep up with utility costs,” said Senator Yager.  “The funds will help us be ready for any future needs like this by improving energy efficiency in our schools,” added Rep. Winningham.

The General Assembly passed legislation in 2008 that implemented Tennessee’s Energy Efficient Schools Initiative. The successful program initiated grants that have been awarded to school districts to assist the schools in becoming more energy efficient, resulting lower operating costs and creating a better learning environment for Tennessee students.  The Initiative is also retaining and creating jobs in Tennessee, both in the manufacturing sector in Tennessee as well as equipment vendors, contract labor for equipment installation, local equipment sales, etc. 

For more information about the Energy Efficient Schools Initiative, please visit www.tn.gov/eesi. 

If signed, the bill will take effect January 1, 2011.

(NASHVILLE, TN), June 22, 2010 – State Senator Diane Black (R- Gallatin) and State Representative Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) announced today that three Sumner County arts organizations will receive a combined $18,200 in grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission.  The organizations include VSA Arts Tennessee, which will receive grants for $4,900 and $1,400, the Hendersonville Arts Council, which will receive $4,800, and the Tennessee Women’s Theater Project, which will receive $7,100. 

“We are delighted that the Tennessee Arts Commission allocated grant money for these worthy arts efforts in our area,” said Senator Black.  “These grants will be used to promote the arts in our community.”  

“The Tennessee Art’s Commission’s matching grants are made possible through an appropriation of funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who buy specialty license plates," Rep. Maggart added.  "These funds enable us to promote the arts so that it will be part of the heritage for future generations of Tennesseans."

The Tennessee Arts Commission will award over 850 community grants for the 2011 fiscal year, totaling $7.3 million. The allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate disciplines and a final review by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission. 

Rep. Maggart serves the 45th House District, which includes portions of Sumner County and Senator Black represents Sumner and Robertson Counties in the 18th Senate District.  The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences, ensure the citizens of Tennessee have access to and participate in the arts.  Additional information is available at www.arts.state.tn.us.

(NASHVILLE, TN), June 22, 2010 – State Senator Diane Black (R- Gallatin) announced today that Community Spirit, Inc. in Robertson County will receive a $5,500 grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.  The grant is in the category of rural arts project support.

“I am delighted that the Tennessee Arts Commission allocated grant money for this local arts effort,” said Senator Black.  “The arts are very important to our community.”  

The Tennessee Arts Commission will award over 850 community grants for the 2010 fiscal year, totaling $7.3 million. The allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate disciplines and a final review by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission. 

Senator Black represents Sumner and Robertson Counties in the 18th Senate District.  The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences, ensure the citizens of Tennessee have access to and participate in the arts.  Additional information is available at www.arts.state.tn.us.

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.state.tn.us

 (NASHVILLE, TN), June 21, 2010 – State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) will present a Texas state flag to Tom Shaw, property owner of the site of the boyhood home of Tennessee and Texas hero Sam Houston.  Houston, who founded a one-room schoolhouse in Maryville at the age of 19, moved to Blount County in 1807 at the age of 14.  He established the first school ever built in Tennessee and Sam Houston Elementary in Maryville is named in honor of his early education efforts.

The boyhood homesite is located at 1116 Lambert Road. The flag presentation will take place tomorrow, June 22, 2010 at 10:00 a.m at the home.

“I am very pleased to secure a flag from the state of Texas for presentation to the Maryville home of a great hero of two states in our nation’s early history, Sam Houston,” said Senator Overbey.  “It is an honor to play a role in the education of future generations regarding the history of a great man of both Tennessee and Texas, who had a tremendous impact on the building of this nation in its infancy.”

Houston served as Adjutant General in the Tennessee State Militia and was elected to Congress for two terms, before serving as Governor of Tennessee. In 1833, he went to Texas at President Andrew Jackson's request to lead military efforts there.  He later became the Governor of Texas and also served that state in the U.S. Senate.

Houston’s simple credo, "Honor," was carved on his tombstone.

“Sam Houston was a man of honor who had an extraordinary record of public service that is unparalleled in American history,” added Overbey.  “I am proud of his Maryville heritage and pleased to be a part of remembering a great local and American hero.”

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.us

(NASHVILLE, TN), June 10, 2010 -- Two bills sponsored by Senator Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) to protect children from sex offenders were approved in the final hours of the 2010 legislative session, including one measure to set up a Tennessee Second Look Commission to review cases and procedures related to child sexual abuse. 

The bills were passed before the General Assembly adjourned the 2010 legislative session at 1:14 a.m. CST.

The Commission would review cases from the initial report of alleged abuse through to a finding or criminal conviction of abuse.  Burchett said it is an important first step in understanding how the system fails endangered kids. 

“The facts show that our present court system fails kids, even after the abuse has been reported,” said Senator Burchett.  “We must find a better way to protect these kids which is the purpose of the study.”

The Commission will review cases and procedures related to severe child sexual abuse to determine if they were handled in a manner that provides adequate protection to the children. Only two percent of the 750,000 pedophiles identified by computer in the United States have been investigated according to expert testimony provided to the legislature last year.  The Commission would be administratively attached to the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth.

The legislation, Senate Bill 2701 now goes to the governor and would be effective upon becoming law.

The second bill sponsored by Burchett and approved by the full legislature before adjournment prohibits any sexual or violent sexual offender who is required to be on the Sexual Offender Registry from establishing a primary or secondary residence with two or more other such offenders. Similarly, no person, corporation or other entity may knowingly permit more than three such sexual or violent sexual offenders to establish a residence in any house, apartment or other residence. 

The legislation, Senate Bill 3290, comes after a residence of multiple child sex offenders was established in Nashville.  Parents of children in the neighborhood expressed great concern that such a residence could be located in a family-oriented community.

“Parents in residential neighborhoods should not have to worry about establishment of a residence to house multiple child sex offenders,” Burchett added.  “I am very pleased both of these child protections bills were approved during our 2010 legislative session.

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.us

(NASHVILLE, TN), June 9, 2010 – The Senate and House have approved a conference committee report and sent to the governor legislation calling for Tennessee jails to send information to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement office (ICE) regarding prisoners who do not have documentation that they are in the U.S. legally.  The bill, Senate Bill 1141, sponsored by Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville), requires the jail keeper to fax, email or send a copy of the booking information.

 “This legislation simply makes sure that ICE and Homeland Security are informed regarding anyone who has been booked into Tennessee jails who are in the U.S. illegally,” said Senator Gresham.  “I am very pleased this bill has been approved.”

Lawmakers worked out differences in the bill in a conference committee earlier today.  The House adopted the conference committee plan and approved the bill by a vote of 56 to 30.  The Senate then took up the matter, passing it by a vote of 24 to 7.

The legislation calls for statewide standards to be developed by the POST (Police Officers Standard Training) Commission.  This provision helps to ensure that Tennessee will not be open to lawsuits that have been problematic in other localities with similar laws.  The bill does not apply to any county or municipality that enters into a memorandum of understanding with the United States Department of Homeland Security or ICE concerning enforcement of federal immigration laws, which has more stringent standards.

“All counties should provide this information to protect our citizens,” said Gresham, who is a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Marines.  "It is a matter of national security that must be addressed.”

The General Assembly is expected to work late into the evening to try to conclude the business of the 2010 legislative session.