Week of May 21, 2007

Republican Education Plan

Several weeks ago, the Governor announced his support for a plan to overhaul the state’s K-12 education funding formula known as the Basic Education Program (BEP).  The plan is the product of extensive discussions between the Senate Education Committee Chairman Jamie Woodson (R-Knoxville); Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge); House Leaders, and Administration officials.

On Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee dove into the details of the BEP.  On hand to discuss the details were Patrick Smith, Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of State Policy & Planning; Dr. Bill Fox, University of Tennessee Economist; and John Morgan, Comptroller of the Treasury. 

The most candid discussion occurred relative to fiscal capacity.  Dr. Fox, who developed the new fiscal capacity proposal, explained the reasoning for the alternative formula.  He stated that fiscal capacity is designed to measure the relative contribution that each county should make to fund education.  Fiscal capacity does not measure effort made by counties, but does measure each county’s capacity to raise tax revenue.

The current formula is a complex regression analysis.  The new formula is much simpler, and is based on measuring two factors – each county’s property and local sales taxes. 

After a recess, the Education Committee returned to discuss one of the most important aspects of the Republican Education Plan: the accountability component.  Republican Senators believe very strongly that if the state provides additional funds for education, better results must be expected. 

Language was tentatively agreed upon that will call for better accountability in K-12 education, and an amendment was adopted to SB 570 by Sen. McNally.  The proposed changes to the current system include:

§          Adding corrective actions that can be taken by schools or systems that are on the first year of probation

§          Requiring schools and local education agencies (LEAs) to include information in their improvement plans on how they will spend improvement funds

§          Requiring additional standards to be applied to a principal’s contract, and allows bonuses for performance

§          Allowing principals to have discretion over their school’s budget

§          Directing the State Board of Education to establish a guideline for differentiated pay plans

§          Requiring LEAs to adopt a differentiated pay plan

§          Giving principals discretion over the administrative personnel for their school

§          Requiring the Commissioner of Education to report why they are not taking the final action for schools on probation for two years

§          Requiring the State Board of Education to develop and assess the teacher training programs of higher education institutions

§          Requiring more frequent evaluation of teachers

Final action on the bill will be taken up next week in the Senate Education Committee.

Please remember that all committee and regular sessions of the Senate are video streamed over the internet.  To view live or archived sessions visit www.legislature.state.tn.us, click on Senate, and then Video Streaming.  A link is also available at www.tnsenate.com.

Crooks with Guns

On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee took up the final piece of the crime package supported by the Tennessee Public Safety Coalition (TPSC).  SB 1967 by Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville) proposes to get tough on criminals that commit crimes with firearms.  On hand to voice their support for the legislation were Ronal Serpas, Chief of the Metro Nashville Police Department and Larry A. Godwin, Chief of the Memphis Police Department. 

Known as the “Crooks with Guns” legislation, it provides that possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a dangerous felony is a Class D felony with a minimum mandatory sentence of three years in prison.  If the defendant has a prior felony conviction, the penalty would be a Class D felony with a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in prison.

The bill also provides that employing a firearm during the commission, attempt to commit, flight or escape from a dangerous felony is a Class C felony with a minimum mandatory sentence of six years in prison.  If the defendant has a prior felony conviction, the penalty would be a Class C felony with a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years in prison.

The bill was unanimously recommended by the committee and referred to the Finance, Ways and Means Committee.

The TPSC is an organization made up of District Attorneys, Police Chiefs, and Sheriffs from across the state.  The other initiatives that they are pushing are SB 1322 by Sen. Paul Stanley (R-Germantown) and SB 1554 by Sen. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge).  Both are waiting to be scheduled in the Finance, Ways and Means Committee.

Competitive Cable and Video Services Act

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture committee recommended SB 1933 by Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) for passage with a plethora of amendments.  The proponents of the bill argue that the bill will allow companies to quickly enter the cable services market and provide consumers with additional choices and lower prices for services.  Opponents claim that the legislation gives an unfair advantage to one company, AT&T. 

After advancing the bill in the Senate, the House sponsor stated on Wednesday that he has decided not to push the companion bill this year in the House of Representatives.    

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