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.

(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.tn.gov

 (NASHVILLE, TN), June 9, 2010 -- The Tennessee Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) and Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin) to protect the freedom of Tennessee patients to make their own health care choices, regardless of federal action taken in Washington.  The bill was passed as the Senate worked into the evening on Wednesday to end the 2010 legislative session.

The legislation, Senate Bill 2560, was amended by State Senators to include language previously adopted by that body earlier this year.  The amended bill, called the Tennessee Health Freedom Act, does not seek to “nullify” any federal law, as it would still allow individuals the option to participate in a federal program. However, it acknowledges the right of Tennesseans to refuse to participate in a government-run health insurance program.  It also calls on the state’s Attorney General to take action in the defense or prosecution of rights protected under the legislation.

“The Tennessee Health Freedom Act, would protect a citizen’s right to participate, or not participate, in any healthcare system, and would prohibit the federal government from imposing fines or penalties on that person’s decision,” said Senator Beavers.  “It was passed overwhelmingly by the Senate earlier this year.  I am very pleased that the Senate has passed this law in a form that has a remedy to fight back against the overreach of federal power on the private lives of our citizens.”

“The health care law passed by Congress is ‘big brother’ at his worst and is Exhibit A in the people’s case against Washington’s abuse of power,” said Senator Black.  “The citizens of Tennessee believe they should be able to choose whether or not they want to participate in a federal health care plan.  That is what this bill seeks to accomplish.”

Financial experts predict that the federal healthcare plan will consume any anticipated growth in Tennessee’s revenues once the economy recovers, crippling the state’s ability to make future improvements in critical needs like education, job investment and public safety. 

The federal health care law will also penalize citizens beginning in 2014 if they do not buy insurance. 

“We are talking about stiff penalties that will escalate to 2.5 percent of a citizen’s taxable income by 2016 if they do not purchase health care insurance,” added Beavers. 

“Our citizens want us to stand up to the federal government and send them a strong message that Tennesseans are unhappy with this new law,” added Black.  “We are very pleased that our Senate has approved this legislation.”

The bill now goes back to the House of Representatives for approval of the Senate amendment. 
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Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.us

(NASHVILLE, TN), June 9, 2010 -- The General Assembly approved legislation today 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, co-sponsored by Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin), requires the jail keeper to fax, email or send a copy of the booking information.

"Washington has failed to control our borders and so we as state leaders must take action,” said Senator 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."

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 put back into the bill counties that were previously deleted by the Senators representing them by addressing the concerns of local governments.  The provision helps to ensure that Tennessee will not be open to lawsuits that have been problematic in other localities with similar laws. 

“The amendment strengthens the bill,” said Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) upon passage of the bill in the Senate.  “All counties should provide this information to protect our citizens.  It is a matter of national security that must be addressed.”

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.
 
The legislation now goes to the governor for his signature before becoming law.  If signed, it will take effect January 1, 2011.