Senator Woodson chosen as “Best Pro-Business Legislator”

 (NASHVILLE, TN), April 30, 2008 -- State Senator Jamie Woodson (R-Knoxville) has been named among the five best pro-business legislators in the Tennessee General Assembly by a key business magazine.  The announcement was made in the May publication of Business TN, which each year selects the five best state lawmakers based on their efforts in keeping “taxes low and regulation minimal.” The publication also chose the honorees based on their legislative stances and their ability to have a positive effect on the state’s business climate.

Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Woodson “helped lead the charge for reform to the Basic Education Plan or BEP last year, providing more equitable funding to urban school districts.  In her powerful education role, she has also been very protective of lottery proceeds, which everyone has an idea about how to spend.  Her leeriness of such proposals is good stewardship.”    

The publication continued, “As a Knoxville representative, Woodson must be a champion for the University of Tennessee.  It’s all the more reason to be impressed with her balance on the issue of for-profit colleges in the state.  Woodson has been a fair-minded arbiter, working to stave off over-regulation.”

“I am honored to be recognized as a friend of business,” said Senator Woodson.  “I am particularly pleased that the recognition stemmed from my efforts to provide better educational opportunities for Tennessee students.  The business community recognizes the fact that education is crucial to our state’s economic viability.  I look forward to continuing to partner with them as we work to provide more opportunities to our students in the future.”  

Woodson shared the honor with Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington), House Commerce Committee Chairman Charles Curtiss (D-Sparta) and House Finance Chairman Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley).

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