Senator Bo Watson has been selected to participate in the 2011 Emerging Leaders Program, sponsored by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

This prestigious program is held every year on the campus of the University of Virginia for a select group of state legislators who have been nominated by the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate or Minority Leader from their state. Leaders are asked to nominate one or more members who by their actions have demonstrated those qualities we associate with leadership—integrity, compassion, intelligence, vision, and common sense.

The goal of this program is to inspire these men and women to continued careers in public service. Class discussions will examine qualities and characteristics of leadership including: ethical leadership, the art of compromise and coalition building and the philosophical underpinnings of representative democracy. The discussions will be lead by Professor Ed Freeman, the Elis and Signe Olsson Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School and co-director of the Olsson Center for Applied Ethics. A distinguished UVA faculty along with Dr. Thomas Little, Curriculum Director of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, will join Dr. Freeman.

Senator Watson is one of only fifty state legislators chosen from a nationwide pool of over 200 outstanding nominees.

As Stephen G. Lakis, President of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, has noted “These legislators represent the best and the brightest, and are destined for future leadership roles in their state. After being with these people for several days, you can’t help but feel proud and more confident about our unique system of representative democracy. They are just that good!” 

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(NASHVILLE, TN), April 28, 2011 –   State Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson) said today he and other members of the Hamilton County Legislative Delegation are working with state officials as they assess the damages suffered in yesterday’s devastating storms and move into the recovery phase.  Lawmakers met with Tennessee Adjutant General Terry M. "Max" Haston and representatives of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency this morning and were briefed regarding recovery efforts being made in Hamilton County by state officials in the aftermath of the storms.

 “We have been assured that the state is utilizing all of our resources as we come into the recovery phase,” said Senator Watson.  “Like other members of our legislative delegation, I will be on the ground to tour the damage later today and tomorrow and will be talking with our local officials about any assistance I can give to expedite assistance to storm victims.  Our hearts go out to those who have suffered the loss of loved ones and we will keep them in our prayers during this difficult time.”

 

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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.”  

Watson named chairman of Senate Government Operations panel

By: Andy Sher, TimesFreePress.com
September 18, 2009

NASHVILLE -- Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey has named state Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, the new chairman of the Senate's Government Operations Committee and appointed Sen. Jack Johnson, R-College Grove, to head the Senate Commerce, Labor & Agriculture Committee.

Lt. Gov. Ramsey, R-Blountville, announced the changes in an address to the Associated General Contractors of Tennessee on Thursday.

The shuffling of chairmanships came about as a result of the recent resignation of state Sen. Paul Stanley, R-Germantown. Mr. Stanley quit after his affair with his 22-year-old intern came into public view. That came about after her boyfriend allegedly tried to blackmail Mr. Stanley. Mr. Stanley had been chairman of the Commerce Committee.

Also considered for the Commerce vacancy was Sen. Dewayne Bunch, R-Cleveland, the current Commerce vice chairman.

In shifting Sen. Johnson to head Commerce, Lt. Gov. Ramsey created another opening at the helm of the Government Operations Committee, where Sen. Johnson was chairman.

Sen. Watson, who has served on the Government Operations Committee since his 2006 election to the Senate, said he felt "very honored" by the appointment.

The Government Operations Committee handles legislation creating new departments, commissions, boards, agencies or councils of state government. It has the responsibility to reauthorize existing departments, commissions, boards, agencies or councils of state government. The panel also reviews regulations from Tennessee departments, commissions, boards or agencies.

"Jack and I worked very well together," Sen. Watson said. "We've worked over the past few years to try to get that committee to function more efficiently."

He said he didn't "anticipate making any drastic changes in how the committee is run." Sen. Watson said he also expects to remain on the Senate Finance Committee.

 

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Contact: Darlene Schlicher
June 29, 2009	Phone:  (615) 741-1967

Grant awards to local organizations announced for Hamilton County

(June 29, 2009, NASHVILLE) – Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson) and Representative Richard Floyd (R-Chattanooga) have released the list of grant award recipients from the Tennessee Arts Commission for 2010 in the 27th House District and the 11th Senate District. These include: Ballet Tennessee, Choral Arts of Chattanooga, and TN Presenters Corporation.

In announcing the awards, Senator Watson and Representative Floyd emphasized the contributions the arts make to the quality of life in Tennessee communities. Representative Floyd said, “The Tennessee Arts Commission’s matching grants are made possible through an appropriation of state funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who purchased specialty and collegiate license plates. We applaud those Tennesseans who have supported the arts through the years, because it has had a positive impact on our community.”

“This state is indeed fortunate to have elected leaders who support the work for the Tennessee Arts Commission in building better communities through the arts,” said Kim McClamroch, incoming chair of the Tennessee Arts Commission.

According to McClamroch, the Commission will award over 850 grants during 2010, totaling more than $7.6 million. These funds have a direct impact on communities across Tennessee, in both urban and rural areas. The Commissions allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate art disciplines and a review and final approval by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission.

“The arts do have a positive impact on the community, and the effects trickle down into a better education, more focus at school for our students, and make our communities exciting,” said Senator Watson.

Additional information on grant programs offered by the Tennessee Arts Commission is available at arts.state.tn.us.

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