What's New On The Hill 3/1/2024
Celebrating Women's History Month
As owners of a women-owned and managed firm, Women's History Month holds a special significance for our team .
It's a time to celebrate the achievements of women past and present, to honor the trailblazers who have paved the way for future generations, and to reaffirm our commitment to empowering women in every facet of our work.
As Nashville's oldest lobbying firm, founded in 1980, we are proud to stand on the shoulders of giants and to carry forward the legacy of advocacy and excellence that defines Harris Frazier Government Relations.
Here's to the remarkable women who continue to shape our firm, our community, and our world!
The collaboration with Leading Age Tennessee for the LATN2024 Day on the Hill event proved to be exceptionally productive. The day was marked by engaging discussions, enlightening speakers, and purposeful legislative visits, underscoring the significance of our engagement. We are deeply proud of our continuous efforts in representing and supporting this esteemed organization, reaffirming our commitment to their mission and vision.
Voucher Proposals
The Tennessee General Assembly is amidst heated debates surrounding multiple voucher proposals, each presenting substantial implications for our state's education system. Governor Bill Lee's proposal for a statewide school voucher program comes with a significant price tag, estimated at $141 million for the first year's batch of 20,000 students. Notably, rival updates introduced in both chambers project even higher costs, with the Senate's proposal estimated at $333 million and the House version at $425 million.
House Republicans have incorporated several provisions in their proposal, responding to longstanding requests from public education groups. These provisions include a reduction in testing and evaluation requirements, an increase in state health insurance contributions, and additional funding for capital maintenance. While these provisions aim to garner support from various stakeholders, opponents argue that they may obscure the true objectives of the bill.
Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds revealed statistics regarding the existing voucher pilot program in Davidson, Shelby, and Hamilton counties. 53% of students enrolled in the program had never previously attended Tennessee public schools. This revelation challenges the narrative that vouchers primarily benefit students "trapped" in failing institutions. With only 1,972 students enrolled through the program's second academic year, far below initial projections, critics question the efficacy and impact of expanding voucher programs statewide.
Furthermore, the fiscal projection for the Senate version of the bill suggests that 60% of future enrollees would come from existing private school students, with 40% from public schools. However, the House version differs significantly, with provisions allowing public school students to attend schools outside their current district. As discussions continue, finding common ground between the House and Senate proposals remains uncertain.
In addition to the legislative proposals, the Tennessee House recently unveiled a massive omnibus bill encompassing various education-related amendments, including the creation of a voucher scholarship program. With significant implications for teachers' insurance, testing requirements, and accountability measures, this omnibus bill introduces substantial changes to Tennessee's education policies.
As lawmakers navigate the complexities of these proposals, the future of vouchers in Tennessee hangs in the balance.
You can read the Senate estimates in full here.
You can read an option available under the upper chamber’s proposal but not included in the House K-12 subcommittee version here.
Harris Frazier Government Relations was thrilled to participate in the vibrant atmosphere of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association Winter Meeting. Throughout the event, we were privileged to sit in on insightful sessions that enriched our understanding of the industry.
Moreover, we cherished the opportunity to celebrate the exceptional dedication of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association staff. We are so proud to represent and be a part of this group of outstanding individuals!
On March 5, 2024, Tennessee will host its Super Tuesday Presidential Preference Primary and County Primary Election, joining 15 other states in helping determine each party's presidential nominee.
Apart from the presidential primaries, voters will also decide on other significant positions, including:
Davidson County Assessor of Property
Davidson County 4th Circuit Court judge
Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education District 1
Wilson County School Board Zone 3 and Zone 7
Lebanon Special School District at-large
To learn more about the candidates and specific election details, visit this link.
Your vote is your voice - if you have not already voted early, please make arrangements and plan ahead to cast your ballot this Tuesday.
The Tennessee Pharmacists Association proudly bestowed honor upon Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally in recognition of his exceptional dedication to supporting Tennessee pharmacists.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lt. Governor McNally for this well-deserved recognition, acknowledging his steadfast commitment to advancing the pharmacy profession in our state!
IN THE NEWS
Congressman Mark Green Will Run for Re-Election at Urging of Former President Trump
Congressman Mark Green (R-TN-07) announced on Thursday that he has reconsidered his decision to retire from Congress and will now run for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2024 election.
TENNESSEESTAR.COM - Feb. 29, 2024
House panel rejects bill to give communities veto power over toll lanes
A proposal to give local communities to reject the introduction of toll lanes under Gov. Bill Lee’s Transportation Modernization Act has been defeated in a House subcommittee.
PRO.STATEAFFAIRS.COM - Feb. 29, 2024
A bill preventing citizens from challenging the General Assembly in court advances in the Tennessee House
Tennessee Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, wants to prevent citizens from legally challenging rules made in the House and Senate.
WPLN.ORG - Feb. 29, 2024
School voucher ideas expose deep GOP divisions in Tennessee Legislature
With a supermajority grip over the Tennessee Statehouse, there are very few things Republicans can’t push through even with the harshest of criticism and public opposition.
APNEWS.COM - Feb 29, 2024
TN bill to make tourism records secret passes House: 'Get the Super Bowl,' lawmaker says
A bill proposed by the Lee administration, which seeks to allow records from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to be exempt from public records laws if the tourism commissioner and attorney general deem them “sensitive,” passed in the House on Thursday, despite pushback over how it could deal a blow to transparency.
TENNESSEAN.COM - Feb. 29, 2024
TN House passes bill requiring lessons on gun safety in schools, amendments allowing parents to opt out fails
A bill that requires schools across the state to teach students about how to safely store guns, avoid injuries if they find a gun and other lessons about gun safety passed the Tennessee House of Representatives on Thursday.
WBIR.COM - Feb. 29, 2024
Sweeping school voucher, public education overhaul in Tennessee passes first House hurdle
After less than two hours of presentation and debate, a statewide universal school choice proposal that includes sweeping changes to Tennessee’s public school system cleared its first House committee hurdle on Tuesday evening.
TENNESSEAN.COM - Feb. 27, 2024
Tennessee House advances bill to ban reappointing lawmakers booted for behavior
Republicans in the Tennessee House voted Monday to advance a bill that would prevent local governments from reappointing state lawmakers who were expelled due to behavior.
APNEWS.COM - Feb. 27, 2024
As Tennessee lawmakers continue cracking down on abortion, concern about medical record privacy grows
As Tennessee’s abortion restrictions continue to evolve, there is growing concern about how much privacy the law gives to patients who travel from this state to clinics where abortion is unrestricted, like the one in Carbondale, Illinois.
WPLN.ORG - Feb. 26, 2024
Domestic violence survivors could track their abuser’s movements before trial, under new Tennessee bill
Alex Youn speaks with legislators after testifying in support of the Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act.
WPLN.ORG - Feb. 27, 2024
Massive House proposal is third universal school voucher bill before Tennessee lawmakers
Three school voucher proposals now before Tennessee lawmakers would create a new statewide program that eventually could open eligibility to all K-12 students, regardless of family income.
TENNESSEELOOKOUT.COM - Feb. 27, 2024
Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally says expulsion restriction bill could pose problems
Tennessee’s lieutenant governor believes a bill prohibiting local governments from returning expelled lawmakers to the Legislature could fail a constitutional challenge.
TENNESSEELOOKOUT.COM - Feb. 28, 2024
Tennessee House passes bill barring local councils from returning expelled lawmakers
Despite constitutional questions, House Republicans approved a measure Monday that would stop expelled lawmakers from being reappointed to office.
TENNESSEELOOKOUT.COM - Feb. 27, 2024
Poll finds support in rural Senate districts for Lee’s school choice proposal
A new poll of 1,591 voters in five rural Tennessee Senate districts showed strong support for Gov. Bill Lee’s proposal to offer state-funded grants to 20,000 students statewide to attend a private or homeschool of their choice.
KNOXNEWS.COM - Feb. 27, 2024
House files 39-page voucher amendment overhauling key areas of Tennessee education
A wide-ranging amendment that would overhaul Tennessee's standardized testing requirements for public school students, make sweeping changes to teacher and principal accountability procedures, and shut down the state’s Achievement School District by 2026 was filed in the House on Monday — just a day before the first hearings on Gov. Bill Lee’s statewide school choice proposal are set to begin.
KNOXNEWS.COM- Feb. 27, 2024
Tennessee Bill Would Prohibit Financial De-Banking for Political, Religious Beliefs
Tennessee State Representative Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) have proposed legislation that would prohibit America’s largest financial institutions from discriminating against customers based on their religious or political beliefs.
TENNESSEESTAR.COM - Feb. 28, 2024
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti Details Consumer Protection Lawsuit Against BlackRock’s ESG Investing
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said his consumer protection lawsuit against BlackRock’s Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) investing will force the company to disclose if it is mixing ESG factors when making investment decisions instead of focusing on financial factors relative to the rate of return.
TENNESSEESTAR.COM - Feb. 27, 2024
Lee’s Budget Proposal Has Sharp Spending Cuts, Report Shows
After several years of rapidly increasing spending and tax collections, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has proposed a budget that would spend nearly $10 billion less next year.
TENNESSEESTAR.COM - Feb. 25, 2024
Government shutdown 2024: When could it happen and how it could affect you
This is a repeat of the same message that has been happening for months, the United States government is teetering on the edge of a shutdown.
TENNESSEAN.COM - Feb. 28, 2024
Frontier Airlines to expand Nashville service this spring. See where
Frontier Airlines will soon be shepherding people to and from Chicago as it expands service in Nashville.
TENNESSEAN.COM - Feb. 28, 2024
Tennesse House advances a bill to allow tourism records to remain secret for 10 years
Tennessee’s Republican-dominant House on Thursday advanced legislation that would allow the state’s tourism public records to remain secret and hidden from the public eye.
ABCNEWS.GO.COM - March 1, 2024
Senate advances ELVIS Act: Bill would shield Tennessee's music industry from misuse of AI
Legislation in Tennessee aimed at protecting the rights of music industry professionals against threats posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing in the Senate.
NEWSCHANNEL9.COM - March 1, 2024
Senate Advanced Legislation To Crack Down On Crime And Hold Criminals Accountable
This week, Senate Republicans advanced several bills to increase penalties for criminals, specifically repeat offenders and criminals who target children.
CHATTANOOGAN.COM - Feb. 29, 2024
The Week in politics: Will voucher bill go to House, Senate conference committee?
While Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, says the Tennessee General Assembly will "probably" hammer out an agreement on the governor's school choice proposal in a conference committee.
TENNESSEAN.COM - March 1, 2024
Tennessee bill would create franchise tax refunds
A bill introduced in the Tennessee legislature in January 2024 would change the method for computing state franchise tax.
CROWE.COM - Feb. 29, 2024
A bill that would ban Pride flags in schools hits a major roadblock in Tennessee’s senate
Legislation known as the Flag Bill has passed the House and has made it to the last stop in the Senate, but it may never get a vote. The bill would list out when and which flags a school or its employees may display on campus. But Senate Speaker Randy McNally has concerns.
WPLN.ORG- Feb. 29, 2024
Tennessee Bill Limits Flags Displayed in Public School
Legislation is moving quickly through the Tennessee General Assembly that would limit the kinds of flags public schools can display.
DAILYCITIZEN.FOCUSONTHEFAMILY.COM - Feb. 29, 2024
Tennessee House Passes Legislation Mandating Firearm Safety Course For Public School Students
A bill that will require Tennessee public schools and public charter schools to provide annual firearm safety training for students was passed by the House on Thursday.
TENNESSEECONSERVATIVENEWS.COM - March 1, 2024