Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov

(NASHVILLE, TN), April 20, 2010 – A resolution seeking to amend Tennessee’s Constitution to allow tax exempt veterans groups to raise funds in the same manner as  501 (c)(3) charitable organizations has been filed by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), and Senators Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) and Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville).  The lawmakers said veterans groups were left out of the Constitutional Amendment approved by voters in 2002, which also allowed for a State Education Lottery. 

The 2002 Amendment allows Internal Revenue Code 501 (c) (3) charitable organizations to conduct an annual fundraising event which includes a game of chance.  The events must be authorized by a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly and has included games such as raffles, reverse raffles, cakewalks, duck races and cakewheels.  Veterans groups are generally organized as 501 (c) (19) or 501 (c) (4) organizations under the Internal Revenue Code.

“This change will allow an outpouring of support for veterans groups across Tennessee,” said Lt. Governor Ramsey.  “The Volunteer State has a tremendous number of veterans and an even larger number of citizens who wish to show their support for the sacrifices made on our behalf.”

“This is the first time since the Constitutional Amendment was passed that action has been taken to allow veterans groups to participate in these fundraising events,” said Senator Crowe, who is Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans Affairs.  “I continue to hear from veterans about the need to change this so that they, too, can raise funds through such events as raffles.  These veterans groups do a lot of good community service work and I am proud to join with my colleagues to find a way to help them in their efforts.”

The resolution filed also seeks to amend the Constitution to allow the veterans organizations and 501 (c) (3) s to have more than one event per year.  

“As legislators we see many opportunities to pass legislation but rarely do we have the opportunity to change the Constitution,” added Senator Ketron.  “This bill gives us the opportunity to give something back to those who have sacrificed for this country and who continue to serve others through service to their community.”

“The veterans should have never been left out of the original Amendment,” added Senator Tracy.  “They do a lot of good work in our communities to help a lot of Tennesseans.  Hopefully, our General Assembly will pass this Resolution to include them as an eligible organization.

The Resolution, SJR 982, must be approved by both the 106th General Assembly, currently in session, and the 107th, which will take office in 2011, before going to voters in a statewide referendum in November 2014.

 

###

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov

 (NASHVILLE, TN), March 24, 2010 -- Fueled by the recent passage of  federal healthcare legislation in Congress, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) and members of the Senate Republican Caucus held a press conference on Wednesday urging the state's House of Representatives to take immediate action to pass the Tennessee Health Freedom Act.  Passage of the bill, which is pending action in the House Industrial Impact Subcommittee, would put Tennessee into position to join the Virginia and Idaho legislatures on the front lines in filing legal action to support the rights of citizens within their boundaries not to participate in the massive government takeover of the nation's health care system.

The Tennessee Health Freedom Act was approved in the State Senate on February 18 by a vote of 26 to 1, with 5 members abstaining.  

“This legislation has become vital to challenge the massive unfunded mandate that has been passed down to the states,” said Senator Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, who is sponsor of the bill.  “Never in history has the federal government mandated that Tennesseans buy anything.  This is kind of equivalent to the federal government saying you have to buy a General Motors car because we bailed ‘em out and we have an interest in it. If the people of Tennessee don’t want federal health care, then this will be the way for them to choose other avenues.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 3498, prohibits the federal government from imposing fines or penalties on a person’s decision not to participate in the federal plan.  Due to constitutional restraints, the bill does not “nullify” the 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 this legislation.

Earlier this week Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey renewed his efforts to get Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper to join his colleagues in at least 13 other states in legal action on the matter.  Ramsey had already asked Cooper to make preparations for protective legal action when the federal health care bill was approved by the United States Senate in December.

“The United States Constitution does not give the federal government the authority for this massive power grab that will reduce individual liberty and strangle state government finances," Ramsey said. "Politicians in Washington may have temporarily lost their minds but we still have our sanity out here in the states and we need to take action to protect our citizens from these mandates.”

“The federal healthcare law is an unprecedented encroachment on the personal liberty of  our citizens, added Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville).  “Tennessee cannot sit idly by and allow the rights of our citizens to be violated by this mandate.”

The federal action is expected to cost Tennessee more than $200 million annually.  It comes at a time when the state is in its 21st consecutive month in which sales taxes have recorded negative growth.  

“Tennessee is suffering great financial hardship in these economically challenging times,” added Norris.  “We cannot print money like the federal government.  This federal mandate will be devastating over the long run, eating up any expected growth money we might be able to gain upon economic recovery.  This means we will not be able to make any future improvements in critical state needs like education and public safety because Congress has tied our hands with their massive healthcare program.”

The Industrial Impact Committee amended the bill with a procedural amendment and delayed further action on the measure until next week. 

###

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov

 (NASHVILLE, TN), March 24, 2010 -- Fueled by the recent passage of  federal healthcare legislation in Congress, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) and members of the Senate Republican Caucus held a press conference on Wednesday urging the state's House of Representatives to take immediate action to pass the Tennessee Health Freedom Act.  Passage of the bill, which is pending action in the House Industrial Impact Subcommittee, would put Tennessee into position to join the Virginia and Idaho legislatures on the front lines in filing legal action to support the rights of citizens within their boundaries not to participate in the massive government takeover of the nation's health care system.

The Tennessee Health Freedom Act was approved in the State Senate on February 18 by a vote of 26 to 1, with 5 members abstaining.  

“This legislation has become vital to challenge the massive unfunded mandate that has been passed down to the states,” said Senator Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, who is sponsor of the bill.  “Never in history has the federal government mandated that Tennesseans buy anything.  This is kind of equivalent to the federal government saying you have to buy a General Motors car because we bailed ‘em out and we have an interest in it. If the people of Tennessee don’t want federal health care, then this will be the way for them to choose other avenues.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 3498, prohibits the federal government from imposing fines or penalties on a person’s decision not to participate in the federal plan.  Due to constitutional restraints, the bill does not “nullify” the 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 this legislation.

Earlier this week Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey renewed his efforts to get Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper to join his colleagues in at least 13 other states in legal action on the matter.  Ramsey had already asked Cooper to make preparations for protective legal action when the federal health care bill was approved by the United States Senate in December.

“The United States Constitution does not give the federal government the authority for this massive power grab that will reduce individual liberty and strangle state government finances," Ramsey said. "Politicians in Washington may have temporarily lost their minds but we still have our sanity out here in the states and we need to take action to protect our citizens from these mandates.”

“The federal healthcare law is an unprecedented encroachment on the personal liberty of  our citizens, added Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville).  “Tennessee cannot sit idly by and allow the rights of our citizens to be violated by this mandate.”

The federal action is expected to cost Tennessee more than $200 million annually.  It comes at a time when the state is in its 21st consecutive month in which sales taxes have recorded negative growth.  

“Tennessee is suffering great financial hardship in these economically challenging times,” added Norris.  “We cannot print money like the federal government.  This federal mandate will be devastating over the long run, eating up any expected growth money we might be able to gain upon economic recovery.  This means we will not be able to make any future improvements in critical state needs like education and public safety because Congress has tied our hands with their massive healthcare program.”

The Industrial Impact Committee amended the bill with a procedural amendment and delayed further action on the measure until next week. 

###

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov

 (NASHVILLE, TN), March 24, 2010 -- Fueled by the recent passage of  federal healthcare legislation in Congress, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) and members of the Senate Republican Caucus held a press conference on Wednesday urging the state's House of Representatives to take immediate action to pass the Tennessee Health Freedom Act.  Passage of the bill, which is pending action in the House Industrial Impact Subcommittee, would put Tennessee into position to join the Virginia and Idaho legislatures on the front lines in filing legal action to support the rights of citizens within their boundaries not to participate in the massive government takeover of the nation's health care system.

The Tennessee Health Freedom Act was approved in the State Senate on February 18 by a vote of 26 to 1, with 5 members abstaining.  

“This legislation has become vital to challenge the massive unfunded mandate that has been passed down to the states,” said Senator Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, who is sponsor of the bill.  “Never in history has the federal government mandated that Tennesseans buy anything.  This is kind of equivalent to the federal government saying you have to buy a General Motors car because we bailed ‘em out and we have an interest in it. If the people of Tennessee don’t want federal health care, then this will be the way for them to choose other avenues.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 3498, prohibits the federal government from imposing fines or penalties on a person’s decision not to participate in the federal plan.  Due to constitutional restraints, the bill does not “nullify” the 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 this legislation.

Earlier this week Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey renewed his efforts to get Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper to join his colleagues in at least 13 other states in legal action on the matter.  Ramsey had already asked Cooper to make preparations for protective legal action when the federal health care bill was approved by the United States Senate in December.

“The United States Constitution does not give the federal government the authority for this massive power grab that will reduce individual liberty and strangle state government finances," Ramsey said. "Politicians in Washington may have temporarily lost their minds but we still have our sanity out here in the states and we need to take action to protect our citizens from these mandates.”

“The federal healthcare law is an unprecedented encroachment on the personal liberty of  our citizens, added Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville).  “Tennessee cannot sit idly by and allow the rights of our citizens to be violated by this mandate.”

The federal action is expected to cost Tennessee more than $200 million annually.  It comes at a time when the state is in its 21st consecutive month in which sales taxes have recorded negative growth.  

“Tennessee is suffering great financial hardship in these economically challenging times,” added Norris.  “We cannot print money like the federal government.  This federal mandate will be devastating over the long run, eating up any expected growth money we might be able to gain upon economic recovery.  This means we will not be able to make any future improvements in critical state needs like education and public safety because Congress has tied our hands with their massive healthcare program.”

The Industrial Impact Committee amended the bill with a procedural amendment and delayed further action on the measure until next week. 

###

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov
     
    (NASHVILLE, TN), February 17, 2009 -- The Tennessee Senate approved legislation today by a vote of 26-1-5 to protect the freedom of Tennessee patients to make their own health care choices, regardless of any future federal action.  The bill, called the Tennessee Health Freedom Act is sponsored by Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet), as well as Upper East Senators Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), Mike Faulk (R-Church Hill) and Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville). 
     “For the federal government to have the right to dictate that each citizen sign up for the health care that Congress mandates would be like the federal government dictating that we all buy cars that received federal bail out dollars,” said Senator Crowe, who is Chairman of the Senate General Welfare, Health and Human Services Committee.
    Beavers said the legislation, Senate Bill 3498, 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.  She said it does not seek to “nullify” any federal law, as it would still allow individuals the option to participate in a federal program. However, the bill 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.
 
    “Never in our history has the U.S. government required its citizens as a condition of residency to purchase a particular product from a private company or government entity,” added Senator Beavers.  “This act seeks to protect the rights of Tennesseans to choose what type and quantity of health insurance to purchase.”
 
     Action on the bill will now move to the House of Representatives, where it is sponsored by Representative Beth Harwell (R-Nashville).