(October 25, 2011, NASHVILLE) – Earlier this week, Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer announced more than $16.2 million to support highway safety in Tennessee.

After reviewing the numbers, Senator Jack Johnson (R—Franklin), Representative Glen Casada (R—Franklin), and Representative Charles Sargent (R—Franklin) announced Williamson County will receive nearly $350,000 in highway safety grants.

The funds support the mission of the Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO) to save lives and reduce injuries on Tennessee roadways through leadership, innovation, coordination, and program support in partnership with numerous public and private organizations.

“We continue to work with local and state agencies to make our roadways safer,” Governor Haslam said. “These grants will support the efforts of highway safety agencies and advocates to reduce the number of people killed and injured in traffic crashes in Tennessee each year.”

There are multiple elements that contribute to a sound and safe roadway system. Some of those aspects are an accurate traffic safety data collection and analysis system; well-trained and well-equipped law enforcement personnel; and effective emergency medical and trauma systems. A major part of roadway safety is educating motorists about laws and good driving behaviors.

Included below is a chart of the grants provided to Williamson County:

• 21st Drug Court Inc. -- 21st Drug Court Program $20,760.00 
• Fairview Police --  Fairview Alcohol Free Streets $19,998.00 
• Franklin Police -- Franklin Fight Against Impaired Driving $50,000.00 
• Nolensville Police -- High Visibility Law Enforcement Campaigns $5,000.00 
• TN District Attorney General -- 21st Judicial District DUI Abatement Plan/Special DUI Prosecutor -- 21st District $142,315.97 
• Williamson County Sheriff's Dept. -- Alcohol Saturation Patrols/Roadside Sobriety Checkpoints $49,300.00 
• Williamson County Trustee -- Williamson County General Sessions DUI Court $59,992.10 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding for GHSO grants. The grants are awarded to agencies that successfully applied for funding based on a defined problem and statistical need. Each year, the GHSO accepts applications from agencies across the state for available highway safety funds. Applications are reviewed and scored by the GHSO and external highway safety advocates. The agencies that meet the criteria for funding received awards.

Sen. Johnson remarked, “We want to do all we can to raise awareness about roadway safety and, ultimately, save lives on Williamson County roads. These grants are a vital part of that effort.”

Rep. Sargent said, “With the growth we have witnessed, we need this type of funding to help our law enforcement personnel maintain the safe streets we have become accustomed to here in Williamson County. I appreciate the Governor and the GHSO doing all they can to promote highway safety.”

Rep. Casada stated, “These funds are very important for our law enforcement personnel as well as our county, in general. These grants certainly make a positive difference for our community and will help us secure much-needed first responder equipment while continuing our roadway safety initiatives.”

For a complete list and description of each grant, visit http://www.tn.gov/tdot/news/2011/GHSO2011-2012AwardedGrants.pdf.

(Nashville) – Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R – Blountville) emphasized his ongoing support tonight for Senate Bill 113, a crucial piece of education reform legislation sponsored by Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) which passed on the floor of the Senate by a vote of 18 to 14.

The bill has now cleared the Senate committee system two times after being amended to make explicit the increased collaboration the bill fosters between teachers and their local school boards.
“Union contracts have hamstrung our local school boards for too long,” said Lt. Governor Ramsey. “More than a year ago our state raced to the top and planted our flag as a beacon for education reform in the nation -- but our journey is not over.”

“In 1978 the General Assembly gave a monopoly to one government union and allowed that union to strangle the hope of education reform in this state,” said Sen. Jack Johnson. “This bill rectifies that mistake and gives power back to locally-elected school boards and teachers. The passage of this measure is necessary if we mean to continue on the path of education reform we have embarked upon.”

“We have a historic opportunity to make this session of the General Assembly a landmark for the cause of reform. This bill creates a collaborative environment between teachers and their local board which will ultimately result in putting a quality teacher in every classroom.”

“This bill has been debated extensively and amended effectively,” Lt. Governor Ramsey continued. “I’m proud of the Senate for passing this measure and I trust the state House will follow suit.”

The bill as amended will end long term union contracts that local governments and taxpayers cannot afford and provides for a policy manual that would outline how every local school board will set policies on salaries, wages, benefits, including insurance and retirement benefits, leaves of absence, student discipline procedures and working conditions for teachers.

The companion House bill sponsored by Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) is currently awaiting action in the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee.

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(NASHVILLE, TN), April 18, 2011 --  The State Senate voted 24 to 8 today to give Tennesseans the opportunity to restore their voice in determining what state law should be regarding abortions.  The supermajority is two more votes than needed by the Senate to put the constitutional resolution on the ballot.  The measure, Senate Joint Resolution 127 sponsored by Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet), addresses a State Supreme Court decision in 2000 that struck down provisions in Tennessee law calling for women to receive “informed consent” information about the surgery and to wait 48 hours before they receive an abortion. 

The court also ruled against a state requirement that all abortions after the first trimester be performed in a hospital. That ruling made Tennessee more liberal than the U.S. Supreme Court required in Roe v. Wade and made the right to abortion a “fundamental right” in Tennessee.

“This resolution was a long time coming,” said Senator Beavers.  “I am very pleased it has finally passed.  It will enable Tennessee to begin the process to restore the right of the people to decide through their elected legislature regarding what Tennessee law should be regarding abortions within the bounds of federal court decisions.  The only way to restore the people’s voice is to change the Constitution and give the legislature authority to write commonsense laws.”

The resolution would allow citizens to amend Tennessee's Constitution to say that the right to an abortion is only protected under the U.S. Constitution as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court.  It would give the people the right, through their elected state representatives and senators, to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape, incest or life of the mother.  Beavers said the practical effect of the resolution would be to bring Tennessee back into a position of neutrality so the people’s elected representatives can decide within the bounds of federal decisions what protections can be put into place.

The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown), Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville), Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville), Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), Senator Steve Southerland (R-Morristown), Senator Ken Yager (R-Harriman), Senator Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville), Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), Senator Jamie Woodson (R-Knoxville), Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville), Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville), Senator Jim Summerville (R-Dickson), Senator Mike Faulk (R-Church Hill), Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson), Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield), Senator Doug Henry (D-Nashville), and Senator Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge).

If approved by a super majority in the House of Representatives, citizens could expect to see the resolution on the ballot in November 2014.

     (NASHVILLE, TN), December 9, 2008 – Senate Republicans met Thursday to elect their officers for the 107th General Assembly, where they voted unanimously to nominate Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) to retain his top leadership post as Senate Speaker/ Lt. Governor.  Senate Republicans also voted to keep Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) as Senate Majority Leader and chose Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) as Caucus Chairman, a post formerly held by Congressman-elect Diane Black (R-Gallatin).

     Senate Republicans now number 20 of the 33 members of the Tennessee Senate after gaining a new seat in the November election.  Ramsey was nominated by Senator Randy McNally who credited the Lt. Governor with five new Republican gains since he was elected to the top leadership post.

     “We have strong majorities now in both the House and the Senate,” Lt. Governor Ramsey said.  “We have an historic opportunity and responsibility to make sure we do what we said we would do.”

     Majority Leader Mark Norris was re-elected by acclamation.  Lt. Governor Ramsey made the nomination saying, “Leader Norris has been extremely diligent, especially in finding the fine details and articulating them well on the Senate floor.

     The only contested election was for the Senate Republican Caucus Chairman with Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) winning that post over Senator Bo Watson (R-Chattanooga).  Afterwards, Senator Watson was elected unanimously to the position of Majority Floor Leader.

     “We have a huge task on our shoulders, but we will do it as a team,” Chairman Ketron told members of the Caucus after being elected.  “We must pay attention to what the voters have told us and keep focused on moving in the right direction.”

     Others re-elected to leadership positions in the Senate Republican Caucus were Judiciary Chairman Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) as Treasurer, Commerce Chairman Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) as Secretary  and Conservation and Environment Committee Chairman Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) as Chaplain. 
  
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 (NASHVILLE, TN), October 29, 2010  --- A new commission set up to identify ways to improve severe child abuse prevention met this week in Nashville to begin its work.  The 18-member Second Look Commission, which is chaired by State Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and Representative Janis Sontany (D-Nashville), will review cases and procedures related to severe child abuse to determine if they were handled in a manner that provides adequate protection for the children. 

“I am very impressed with the caliber and expertise of the members of this commission,” said Senator Johnson.  “It was very evident from our first meeting that we have excellent representatives from law enforcement, our prosecutors, the courts, child advocates and the medical community which will enhance our ability to forge real changes.  They bring tremendous knowledge and energy to this effort as we look at all aspects related to severe child abuse and how the system can be improved to give children more protection.”

Johnson said the group is looking at 401 instances of repeat child abuse involving 256 cases.  Legislation passed this year setting up the Commission called for the group to examine a sampling of cases of repeat and severe child abuse from all profiled cases submitted by the Department of Children’s Services, including holding investigatory meetings. 

“The Commission will identify specific cases of repeat and severe child abuse to see what trends or patterns have occurred by examining all aspects of the abuse,” added Johnson.   “This is a very challenging task, but it is necessary in order to identify ways to improve prevention and response before it is too late.”

The Commission’s findings and recommendations will address all stages of investigating and attempting to remedy severe child abuse.  It will also look at the risk of severe child abuse victims being returned to an environment where a second abuse might occur.  In addition the panel will look at the procedures used by courts that have jurisdiction over criminal and civil child abuse and neglect, as well as the laws used to determine whether or not an alleged perpetrator is prosecuted.  Finally, the Commission will examine the manner in which severe child abuse data is collected by government entities and any representation provided to victims.

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 (NASHVILLE, TN), September 20, 2010  --- State Senators Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) have been appointed to serve as members of the Second Look Commission.  The Commission was put into place by the General Assembly this year to 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. 

“This will be challenging work,” said Senator Johnson.  “I come to this commission not only as a senator, but as a father.  "No child should have to suffer this kind of abuse and we need to make sure we have every protection possible in place to prevent such acts." 

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 will be administratively attached to the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth.

The 18-member Commission’s findings and recommendations will address all stages of investigating and attempting to remedy severe child abuse.  It will also look at the risk of severe child abuse victims being returned to an environment where a second abuse might occur.  In addition the panel will look at the procedures used by juvenile courts which have jurisdiction over criminal and civil child abuse and neglect, as well as the laws used to determine whether or not an alleged perpetrator is prosecuted.  Finally, the Commission will examine the manner in which severe child abuse data is collected by government entities and any representation provided to victims.

"I look forward to examining the facts and seeing what we can do to improve our safety network and court system to help these children,” concluded Gresham.

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Contact:  Darlene Schlicher, 741-6336

     (NASHVILLE, TN), February 25, 2010 -- The Senate Government Operations Committee is currently considering action to loosen the grip of special interest groups and lobbyists over the various boards and commissions in Tennessee as they are reviewed by the panel in their normal sunset review process.  Committee Chairman Bo Watson (R-Chattanooga) is among several members on the committee that have serious concerns about repeated language in Tennessee law that requires appointing authorities to select a candidate from special interest organizations. 
     The governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house are most commonly responsible for naming those who serve on the approximately 250 boards and commissions currently in operation in the state.  The boards cover a wide variety of matters and involve oversight for various professions in the state from real estate and health care to athletic training and funeral homes.  Special interest groups over the years have lobbied to make sure that their organizations are included in the language of the law by requiring that appointments are made from members of their group.
     “Many of us have been amazed at the fact that qualifications take a back seat under present law to being a dues paying member of a special interest organization in order to be appointed to a board or commission in Tennessee,” said Chairman Watson.  “It leaves many qualified citizens out of consideration.  Being active in an organization could be helpful as part of qualification factors, but without a compelling reason why an appointment should be required to be from members of a particular special interest organization, the appointing authority should be able to choose any citizen who is qualified.”
      “Qualifications are very important and no one wants to eliminate that,” added Senator Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland).  “There are a lot of qualified citizens that can serve on these boards and do the same things that are currently being done who do not belong to special interest groups.  Our citizens should have equal opportunity and equal footing as special interest groups and lobbyists.” 
     “There is a tremendous amount of inconsistency on our boards and commissions,” added Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) in speaking about the various state laws regarding appointments.  “Some require specific organizations, while others just ask for recommendations from a particular group.”
     Watson said the Government Operations Committee is considering two other objectives in deliberations regarding board and commission members’ appointments, besides removing the special interest designation.  One would require board members to be Tennessee citizens, while the other would better define a conflict of interest exclusion, including a one-year buffer period before lobbyists can be on a board if they have represented clients within that profession or subject matter.
     “The person left out of the room when the law requires selection from a special interest group, is the average citizen,” said Senator Brian Kelsey (R-Memphis).  “We must do everything we can to protect all Tennesseans.”
      “These objectives will result in a fundamental change that will loosen the grip of special interests and lobbyists on our boards,” Watson added.  “This will also strengthen the public’s faith in state government.”  

Contact: Darlene Schlicher
September 29, 2009	Phone:  (615) 741-6336

Johnson, Casada, and Sargent support
“Health Care Choice Act”

September 29, 2009, NASHVILLE – State Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), along with Representatives Glen Casada (R-College Grove) and Charles Sargent (R-Franklin) announced today that they support the "Health Care Choice Act" in an effort to lower health insurance costs and provide choice to Tennesseans. The legislation would allow Tennesseans to purchase health insurance plans from companies in other states, a practice that is currently prohibited.

"Americans want and deserve health care reform but not the government-run health care that is being discussed in Washington. This legislation is health care reform at the state level that will lower heath insurance costs and provide more choices to Tennesseans," said Senator Jack Johnson.

The Health Care Choice Act will expand the number of health care plans available for purchase from 127 in Tennessee to potentially more than 5,000 plans nationwide1.

"The goal is to lower costs by offering more choices," said Rep. Casada.  "With this legislation, Tennesseans will have more access to affordable health care insurance."

Representative Sargent stated, "It's important that people have the option to be able to purchase affordable insurance plans without the limitations of individual state mandates. This would expand the pool from which people have to choose insurance plans. Competition in the market place will lower prices and increase the quality of their choices.”

At least 5 other states have introduced similar legislation, including New Jersey, Colorado, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington.  A bill introduced on the federal level aims to allow states to enter into an interstate compact to sell health insurance over state lines. The Washington Post recently reported that Tennessee’s own Senator Bob Corker is pursuing legislation on the federal level to allow a new insurance exchange, allowing companies to compete across state lines nationwide.

Representative Casada added, "My constituents are disappointed and frustrated with Washington's current discussions on healthcare reform. I feel compelled to examine and offer a more efficient and rational solution. I am proud to join my House colleagues in this alternative endeavor." 

"It's time for state legislatures to weigh in on this national debate and take a stand against government-run health care," said Senator Johnson.  "I look forward to having this discussion with my colleagues, so that we can work together to make health insurance more affordable for more Tennesseans," he concluded.

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Contact: Darlene Schlicher
September 17, 2009	Phone:  (615) 741-6336

Sen. Jack Johnson appointed Chairman of Senate Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture Committee

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 17, 2009 – State Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) has been appointed Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee.  The announcement was made by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey during a speech to the Tennessee Associated Builders and Contractors in Nashville today.

The Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over legislation concerning banking and lending institutions; communications; regulation and licensing of occupations; protections of trade and commerce; corporations; labor and industrial relations; consumer affairs and consumer protection; and unemployment compensation.   Due to the scope of legislation considered there, it is considered one of the most powerful committees in the General Assembly.

"I am very honored to have been selected as Chairman of the Senate Commerce committee,” said Senator Johnson.  “It is important that Tennessee has a pro-business climate that is attractive for bringing new jobs to the state.  I look forward to the challenges we face in a very competitive environment."    

Senator Johnson was previously Chairman of the Government Operations Committee in the State Senate.  

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