Senator Johnson Appointed to Key Senate Committee

            (NASHVILLE, TN) -- State Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) has been appointed to the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee in the Tennessee State Senate.  The appointment was made this week by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey as the committees were reorganized for the 2008 legislative session, which will begin on January 8.

The Commerce Committee hears legislation dealing with economic development, business, insurance, and business regulations, as well as employment matters.  Additionally, Senator Johnson will continue to serve on the General Welfare, Health and Human Services Committee and the Government Operations Committees. 

            "The Commerce Committee will be hearing several key issues this year,” said Senator Johnson.  “The legislation considered there is crucial to our district’s economic well-being.  I am pleased to be added as a member of this key Senate committee and look forward to working with our local officials in this capacity to bring new opportunities to the citizens of this district.”

            Senator Johnson represents the 23rd senatorial district, which includes Williamson County and parts of Davidson County

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Johnson Appointed to Transportation Joint Study Committee

Nashville, Tenn. – Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Brentwood) has been appointed to the Transportation Joint Study Committee by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville).

“Sen. Johnson has proven himself to be a very effective legislator,” said Ramsey. “He has done an outstanding job in the Senate, and I am confident that he will perform the duties required by this appointment with a high standard of professionalism, dedication and integrity.”

"I appreciate Speaker Ramsey's confidence in me.  He understands traffic and road construction are very pressing issues in Williamson County and fixing those problems have been a top priority for me since I came to the Senate last November," said Sen. Johnson, who also serves as the Secretary of the Senate Transportation Committee.

The Joint Study Committee was created to examine a wide range of transportation topics facing the state, including current revenue and funding issues for road building, alternative funding options for transportation and camera use by law enforcement.

The Transportation Joint Study Committee is scheduled to meet at Legislative Plaza on Wednesday, Aug. 29th at 10:00 a.m.

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Senate Passes Major Initiative to Combat Illegal Immigration

Nashville, Tenn. – The State Senate has approved an important measure that will make Tennessee a less attractive place to illegal aliens.  Senate Bill 1870 by Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Brentwood) passed the Senate on Thursday by an overwhelming majority. The vote was 27-2.

Known as the “Employer Responsibility in Hiring Practices Act”, the bill requires employers to use the Employment Eligibility Verification Basic Pilot Program to ensure that new hires are eligible to legally work in the United States.  The program is a web-based system that is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

“We are the first state in the nation to require that all employers use the Employment Eligibility Verification Program,” stated Johnson. “State government must be proactive in providing employers the tools they need to comply with federal immigration laws.”

Under the provisions of the bill, there will be no cost to the employers.  If the employer does not have internet access, they may contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development by telephone, mail, or facsimile to verify the employee’s employment eligibility.

“Illegal immigration is a serious problem,” said Johnson. “We are feeling the effects in our schools, in our hospital emergency rooms and with our law enforcement agencies.  Our goal is to make Tennessee less attractive for illegal immigrants. This legislation is a giant step in the right direction.”

The bill must now be passed by the House of Representatives and signed by the Governor before becoming law.

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Deanna Johnson Participates in Read Across America

Nashville, Tenn. – Deanna Johnson, wife of State Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Brentwood) read to first grade classes last week as a part of the Read Across America activities at Williamson County Schools.

“This is a great program, and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it,” said Mrs. Johnson. “Jack and I have tried to instill in our children how important reading is. I hope we were able to convey the same message to these first grade classes.”

Read Across America celebrated the life of Dr. Seuss and his many books including “The Cat in the Hat”. 

“As a father of three, my wife and I understand the value of reading to children,” said Sen. Johnson. “Reading is the foundation for learning.  It is important for children to develop their learning skills at this early age.”

Mrs. Johnson visited first grade classes at Edmondson Elementary in Brentwood and Pinewood Elementary in Primm Springs on Friday, March 2.

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Johnson Advances Bill to Make Tennessee Less Attractive to Illegal Aliens

Nashville, Tenn. – Senate Bill 1870, sponsored by Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Brentwood), cleared the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee Tuesday.  The bill would enact the “Employer Responsibility in Hiring Practices Act”. 

“Illegal immigration is a serious problem,” said Johnson. “We are feeling the effects in our schools, in our hospital emergency rooms and with our law enforcement agencies.  Our goal is to make Tennessee less attractive for illegal immigrants. This legislation is a giant step in the right direction.”

The bill would require employers to use the Employment Eligibility Verification Basic Pilot Program to ensure that new hires are eligible to legally work in the United States.  The program is a web-based system that is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

Under the provisions of the proposed bill, there will be no cost to the employers.  If the employer does not have internet access, they may contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development by telephone, mail, or facsimile to verify the employee’s employment eligibility.

“We are the first state in the nation to require that all employers use the Employment Eligibility Verification Program,” continued Johnson. “State government must be proactive in providing employers the tools they need to comply with federal immigration laws.”

The bill will now go to the Senate floor for action by the full Senate.

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Williamson and Maury Officials Meet to Discuss Traffic Concerns

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- State and local officials from southern Williamson County and northern Maury County held a meeting on Feb. 12 to prioritize and communicate concerns regarding area road projects.  

Attending the meeting were State Sen. Jack Johnson; State Sen. Bill Ketron; Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Tracey; State Rep. Glen Casada; State Rep. Tom DuBois; Williamson County Mayor, Rogers Anderson; Maury County Mayor, James Bailey; Mayor of Franklin, Tom Miller; Mayor of Thompson's Station, Leon Herron; Mayor of Spring Hill, Danny Leverette; and Mayor of Columbia, William Gentner.

The purpose of the meeting was to prioritize traffic concerns of southern Williamson County and northern Maury County, and to foster open lines of communication with state and local officials.

Three areas were identified as major concerns: the widening of Interstate 65 from Highway 96 to Interstate 840, the widening of Duplex Road in Spring Hill, and the widening of Bear Creek Pike between U.S. Hwy 31 and I-65 in Columbia.

“I am pleased that this many officials have decided to come together to look at the region’s traffic situation,” commented Sen. Johnson.  “We look forward to working with the Department of Transportation and Governor Bredesen to do what we can to expedite these projects.”

The group of elected officials agreed that widening Interstate 65 was of primary importance.  The possibility of a reduction in federal funds appropriated for the project was discussed, and Sen. Johnson agreed to contact Congressman Marsha Blackburn’s office to check the status of funding.

“The meeting was excellent,” said Sen. Tracy.  “With this much support from the local officials the lines of communication should remain open and help streamline the process.”

State Rep. Tom DuBois added, “As a member of the South Central TN West Regional Planning Organization, I have personally seen the importance of meeting collectively from a regional standpoint to prioritize major road projects.”

Sen. Johnson also said that he will schedule a series of “town hall type” meetings in conjunction with local officials to discuss these projects with the community.

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