27.3 F
Clarksville
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeNewsTennessee State Representative Joe Pitts provides Legislative Update for March 29th, 2013

Tennessee State Representative Joe Pitts provides Legislative Update for March 29th, 2013

House Bill 1117/Senate Bill 1200 Adding Offenses To the Victims Compensation Fund

Tennessee State Representative - House District 67Nashville, TN – Tennessee State Representative Joe Pitts from House District 67 generously takes the time to provides the readers of Clarksville Online with updates on issues which are currently on the legislative agenda for the Tennessee House of Representatives which may be of interest to the residents of Clarksville-Montgomery County.

Nashville – House Bill 1117/Senate Bill 1200

Adds 5 offenses to the Victims Compensation Fund

House Bill 1117 as introduced, adds victims of vehicular assault, criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide, reckless homicide, and aggravated vehicular homicide who injury or death was inflicted through the use of a motor vehicle or watercraft to those eligible for criminal injuries compensation cleared the Criminal Justice Full Committee this week.  The House Finance, Ways and Means sub-committee will hear the legislation soon.

“This legislation was brought to me by District Attorney John Carney after an accident in 2012 caused the death of an APSU student,” Pitts stated. “If the legislation becomes law, it will give victims and their families’ compensation for their loss caused by the recklessness of others,”

Health Care “Navigator” legislation advances

When Congress enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, it approved an important new provision in the law that creates the role of a “navigator” in helping consumers find the right health insurance policy.  The National Association of Health Underwriters asked Rep Pitts to sponsor HB0881 which will grant the Commissioner of the TN Department of Commerce and Insurance rule making authority in providing proper oversight of these entities.

“The risk of consumer fraud is high if a navigator, who will have access to sensitive and personal information of the consumer, is left unchecked in our state,” said Pitts.  “This measure will prohibit navigators from selling policies and will provide the state sufficient leverage if they overstep their bounds.”

HB0881 passed the House Insurance & Banking Full Committee on Tuesday, and is set to be heard by the Government Operations committee next Tuesday, April 2nd.

The navigator role is extremely critical to successful implementation of the new federal law.  Consumer groups like the AARP and other interested community organizations will provide a valuable service to our citizens.  “We are confident most everyone will follow the rules, set forth by the state of Tennessee,” stated Pitts. “Consumers do need a place to turn if they come in contact with a predator who takes advantage of a citizen.”

Governor Bill Haslam calls for a Joint Convention of the Tennessee General Assembly to update the legislature on the issue of Medicaid Expansion

On Wednesday, March 27th, Governor Bill Haslam addressed a Joint Convention of the Tennessee General Assembly to announce he would not expand TennCare, the state’s Medicaid program, and would proceed with what he terms the “Tennessee plan”.

“No details were offered but I am hopeful that the Governor keeps in mind the most ill individuals in our state,” Pitts said. “The first year I served in the General Assembly, I received a call from a man from Clarksville literally pleading for help.  He had worked all of his life, paid taxes, saved money, had a 401K retirement plan, paid for his house, and then he had a massive heart attack which required him to have a heart transplant.  He had followed all the rules of our society and did everything right.  His health insurance paid for the surgery but after he was forced to retire, he lost his health insurance because he could no longer afford to pay for it.  He spent all of his savings and depleted his 401K but still had to have the anti-rejection medicine in order to survive.  He asked me to help him get TennCare.  Of course TennCare was closed to citizens with this condition and, after exhausting all other avenues, I was forced to tell him ‘sorry sir, but there is nothing I can do to help you.’  In my mind, these are the people that need affordable health care and deserve it.  I ask you, what would you do if this was someone close to you?”

Bill to replace the GED advances

House Bill 387 sponsored by Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro) cleared the Education Full Committee this week.  This legislation authorizes the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to make recommendations relative to assessments that lead to the award of a high school equivalency credential.

“The cost of taking the GED will more than double in 2014, putting it out of reach for many Tennesseans,” said Pitts. “I applaud Rep. Powers and the Department for joining with 41 other states to create a lower cost, more stable alternative to the current GED and the robbing of our citizens with this unconscionable price increase.”

House Bill 1278/Senate Bill 1331 was heard in the House Education Subcommittee on Tuesday afternoon.  The bill would have eliminated funding for the York Agricultural Institute in Jamestown after a 3 year transition period and would require Fentress County to assume the funding.  After a heroic stand by descendants of Sgt York and hundreds of residents of Fentress County, the bill was withdrawn, effectively killing the legislation this year.

“I spoke against this legislation because the State of Tennessee promised to fund “forever” this high school in a very poor county.  We gave our word to Sgt. Alvin C. York, the most decorated soldier in World War I, when he donated the land (more than 400 acres) and mortgaged his farm twice to endow this legacy,” Pitts said.  “This legislation to me was more about keeping your word to a veteran than the meager funding provided by the state,” said Pitts.

Permanent Extension of Homeownership for the Brave Program

Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) made permanent its Homeownership for the Brave program, which offers a ½-percent reduction off THDA’s current mortgage interest rate and waives the first-time homebuyer requirement for the following categories – active-duty service members and National Guard, veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, reservists with at least 180 days of active duty service, spouses of service members and qualified veterans as well as surviving spouses of service members and qualified veterans.  Click on Homeownership for the Brave for more information.

Over the next month, THDA will promote the permanent extension of the Homeownership for the Brave program during several media events with members of Tennessee’s Congressional delegation.

Passport to Success, Re-Entry Housing Program

THDA is forming a partnership with the Tennessee Department of Corrections to administer the Re-Entry Housing Program (RHP), which will shorten the length of incarceration and reduce recidivism by providing indigent offenders with access to transitional housing upon release from incarceration. This partnership is expected to save the state $1.7 million annually. Click on Re-Entry Housing Program for more information.

To view the entire report, click on April 2013.

If you have questions about any item above or other issues of concern, please call me at 615.741.2043, or email me at rep.joe.pitts@capitol.tn.gov

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles