The House bill passed July 10 includes projects Tanner requested for Fort Campbell facility improvements and to push for construction of a veterans’ nursing home in Montgomery County.

“Passage of the Senate bill gets us another step closer to making these crucial investments at Fort Campbell and to make the VA understand what many of us have long known: that Middle Tennessee veterans deserve a nursing home in Montgomery County,” Congressman Tanner said. “We will continue following the legislative process and encourage the conference committee to realize why these are important commitments.”

Support for a Veterans’ Nursing Home in Montgomery County

While Middle Tennesseans have long recognized the need for a long-term care facility in Montgomery County, the Department of Veterans Affairs currently ranks the 140-bed home 70th on its priority list.

The House bill includes language instructing the VA to more closely study the needs of Middle Tennessee veterans, which will make it clear the home should be a top priority, Tanner said.

VA construction projects are decided at the discretion of the VA and cannot be directly funded by Congress. The instructive language drafted by Congressman Tanner and included in the House bill sends the strong statement that Congress sees a need for the project.

Physical Fitness Center, Fort Campbell

The House and Senate bills both recommend $900,000 to construct a 44,347-square foot Army Standard Physical Fitness Center to serve family members on the south side of Fort Campbell Army Base. Fort Campbell’s current conditioning and training facilities do not adequately meet the community’s needs.

Chapel and Multi-Purpose Complex, Fort Campbell

This $14.4 million investment, included in both the House and Senate bills, calls for construction of a 1,200-seat chapel and family-life multi-purpose facility important for worship services, large gatherings and classroom education. Current facilities were first constructed during World War II and cannot adequately meet the needs of the families on base today.

In accordance with the House’s appropriations-transparency guidelines, Congressman Tanner has posted detailed information about these requests on his Web site, www.house.gov/tanner.

About Congressman John Tanner

Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard, Tanner chairs the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and is serving as NATO PA President.

EDINBURGH – U.S. Rep. John Tanner discussed the future of the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan in meetings with top NATO leaders while presiding over NATO Parliamentary Assembly sessions in Edinburgh. The Parliamentary Assembly is NATO’s legislative arm. Tanner has served as the body’s President since November 2008.

“The consensus among NATO leaders and member-nation lawmakers is that we are in a crucial point in the alliance’s history and in the war against the spread of radical fundamentalism,” Tanner said after meeting with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General, and U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander-Europe, both of whom also addressed the Assembly. “These meetings are extremely helpful as the dialogue continues in the U.S. and in other NATO nations about how best to refocus on the fight in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Tanner led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meetings and presided over sessions focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as global economic challenges.

“I look forward to reporting back to Tennesseans and others across our country about how our legislative counterparts in other NATO countries view the challenges facing us, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Tanner said before leading the delegation.

About Congressman John Tanner

Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Tanner is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Leaders of the State Senate Democratic Caucus praised the proud tradition Wednesday of Tennessee’s veterans, past and present.

“When the cause of freedom is on the line, Tennesseans are first to rise to the call,” Senator Lowe Finney of Jackson, the Caucus chairman, said. “Our tradition as volunteers is historic.

“I visited earlier this year with members of the Tennessee Guard preparing to go to the Middle East. Their confidence and dignity reflects the spirit of generations of Tennessee fighting men and women. We have much to be proud of on this day.”

Senator Jim Kyle of Memphis, the Democratic leader in the Senate, joined Senator Finney in honoring Tennessee soldiers:

“Thousands of Tennesseans are in harm’s way across the world. Whether it is in the streets of Baghdad or the mountains of Afghanistan, men and women from the Volunteer State are carrying on the tradition of service that began over two hundred years ago, when Colonel John Sevier asked for ‘100 good men’ … and 200 stepped forward.

“After today’s ceremonies are over, we remember that truly honoring veterans shouldn’t just happen on Nov. 11.

“In Tennessee, we are fortunate to have a cutting-edge scholarship program for our state’s veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. If you, or someone you know, may be eligible for the Helping Heroes Scholarship, please visit tn.gov/collegepays, or call (800) 342-1663, to learn more about how you can receive benefits under this program.”

Congressman Dennis Kucinich

Washington D.C. – After voting against H.R. 3962 – Affordable Health Care for America Act, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today made the following statement:

“We have been led to believe that we must make our health care choices only within the current structure of a predatory, for-profit insurance system which makes money not providing health care. We cannot fault the insurance companies for being what they are. But we can fault legislation in which the government incentivizes the perpetuation, indeed the strengthening, of the for-profit health insurance industry, the very source of the problem. When health insurance companies deny care or raise premiums, co-pays and deductibles they are simply trying to make a profit. That is our system.

“Clearly, the insurance companies are the problem, not the solution. They are driving up the cost of health care. Because their massive bureaucracy avoids paying bills so effectively, they force hospitals and doctors to hire their own bureaucracy to fight the insurance companies to avoid getting stuck with an unfair share of the bills. The result is that since 1970, the number of physicians has increased by less than 200% while the number of administrators has increased by 3000%. It is no wonder that 31 cents of every health care dollar goes to administrative costs, not toward providing care. Even those with insurance are at risk. The single biggest cause of bankruptcies in the U.S. is health insurance policies that do not cover you when you get sick.

“But instead of working toward the elimination of for-profit insurance, H.R. 3962 would put the government in the role of accelerating the privatization of health care. In H.R. 3962, the government is requiring at least 21 million Americans to buy private health insurance from the very industry that causes costs to be so high, which will result in at least $70 billion in new annual revenue, much of which is coming from taxpayers. This inevitably will lead to even more costs, more subsidies, and higher profits for insurance companies — a bailout under a blue cross.

“By incurring only a new requirement to cover pre-existing conditions, a weakened public option, and a few other important but limited concessions, the health insurance companies are getting quite a deal. The Center for American Progress’ blog, Think Progress, states “since the President signaled that he is backing away from the public option, health insurance stocks have been on the rise.” Similarly, healthcare stocks rallied when Senator Max Baucus introduced a bill without a public option. Bloomberg reports that Curtis Lane, a prominent health industry investor, predicted a few weeks ago that “money will start flowing in again” to health insurance stocks after passage of the legislation. Investors.com last month reported that pharmacy benefit managers share prices are hitting all-time highs, with the only industry worry that the Administration would reverse its decision not to negotiate Medicare Part D drug prices, leaving in place a Bush Administration policy.

“During the debate, when the interests of insurance companies would have been effectively challenged, that challenge was turned back. The “robust public option” which would have offered a modicum of competition to a monopolistic industry was whittled down from an initial potential enrollment of 129 million Americans to 6 million. An amendment which would have protected the rights of states to pursue single-payer health care was stripped from the bill at the request of the Administration. Looking ahead, we cringe at the prospect of even greater favors for insurance companies.

“Recent rises in unemployment indicate a widening separation between the finance economy and the real economy. The finance economy considers the health of Wall Street, rising corporate profits, and banks’ hoarding of cash, much of it from taxpayers, as sign of an economic recovery. However in the real economy — in which most Americans live — the recession is not over. Rising unemployment, business failures, bankruptcies and foreclosures are still hammering Main Street.

“This health care bill continues the redistribution of wealth to Wall Street at the expense of America’s manufacturing and service economies which suffer from costs other countries do not have to bear, especially the cost of health care. America continues to stand out among all industrialized nations for its privatized health care system. As a result, we are less competitive in steel, automotive, aerospace and shipping while other countries subsidize their exports in these areas through socializing the cost of health care.

“Notwithstanding the fate of H.R. 3962, America will someday come to recognize the broad social and economic benefits of a not-for-profit, single-payer health care system, which is good for the American people and good for America’s businesses, with of course the notable exceptions being insurance and pharmaceuticals.”

House Democratic Leader Gary Odom

Nashville – House Democratic Leader Gary Odom Thursday renewed his call for fair elections in Tennessee by calling on the secretary of state to “do his job” after a state court issued a ruling confirming that state law requires the implementation of paper ballot machines for the 2010 elections to comply with the Voter Confidence Act of 2008.

Odom cited the following ruling from Chancellor Russell Perkins in Davidson County Chancery Court:

“The court finds that the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act does not require the voting system to be implemented by the state of Tennessee to meet 2005 standards,” wrote Perkins.

“The court determines that the state is obligated to take prompt, effective steps to meet the statutory deadline using compliant voting systems.”

Secretary of State Tre’ Hargett and his appointee, Elections Coordinator Mark Goins, have continually failed to use more than $35 million in federal funding to implement the ”Tennessee Voter Confidence Act,” arguing incorrectly that the machines should adhere to “2005” standards. The 2005 standards have yet to be set, however, Perkins says paper ballot machines recently approved by the federal government would comply with Tennessee state law.

“The court has ruled that it is time for the secretary of state’s office to stop dragging its feet and to provide for paper balloting for all of our voting machines in Tennessee elections by 2010,” said Odom. “To do anything less is to ignore your duty as secretary of state.”

Roy Herron who is one of several candidates running for the Democrat nomination for Governor said in a statement, “There is nothing more fundamental about our democracy than making sure that every vote counts and every vote is counted. I call on Secretary Hargett to implement the Voter Confidence Act and begin purchasing new voting machines with paper ballots without delay. The time to protect our vote is now.”

WASHINGTON

“Our service members and their families have made great sacrifices to serve our country,” said Congressman Tanner, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee National Guard. “Many times, their enlistments were extended involuntarily or their retirements were put on hold because of the strain that was placed on the Armed Forces. With these special payments, we are sending the message that we recognize their sacrifices and greatly appreciate their service.”

The Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is available to service members who had their enlistments extended or retirement suspended due to stop loss between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009.

“Our commitment to honoring our men and women in uniform and those who have returned home after serving our Armed Forces remains strong,” Tanner said.

Service members and the family members of deceased service members can apply for the payments between now and October 21, 2010. Claim forms and more information are available online or by e-mail:

• Army: https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil
• Navy: Send e-mail to
• Marine Corps: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss
• Air Force: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss

Stop loss is a tool implemented to quickly retain and generate forces in a major conflict. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a comprehensive plan in March to eliminate the current use of stop loss, while retaining the authority for future use under extraordinary circumstances.

About Congressman John Tanner

Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Tanner also chairs the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and is serving a two-year term as NATO PA President.

In many states, insurance companies can still discriminate on the basis of gender — and not just on costs. In some states, maternity care is not covered because pregnancy can be seen as a “pre-existing condition.” It’s even legal in some states to deny a woman coverage because she’s been a victim of domestic violence!

That’s not right. Nobody in America should be treated that way. That’s why First Lady Michelle Obama is standing up for women and families in this newest video. Take a look:

Click here to view the embedded video.

With health insurance reform, the days of discrimination based on gender will be over. Insurance companies will be banned from denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition, or dropping your coverage when you get sick and need it most. They will have to cover preventive care like mammograms and pap smears. And they will be forced to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge you for out-of-pocket expenses.

But we can’t make health insurance reform a reality without your help. As the First Lady says, talk to your family, your friends, your neighbors. Share this video with them and help get the word out about what’s at stake. It’ll take all of us working together to deliver the change we need on health care.

Nancy-Ann DeParle
Director, White House Office of Health Reform

The Austin Peay College Democrats have been awarded a national health care reform grant by the College Democrats of America Alumni Association (CDAAA). Over a dozen school chapters submitted proposals to advocate health care reform in a national application process, resulting in the selection of four College Democrat chapters for the honor. Choosing to submit their proposal around APSU’s annual Greater Halloween Options for Safe Trick-or-Treating (G.H.O.S.T.) event, the student organization won a national runoff vote held to determine the final grant winner.

“After tallying the votes – and weeding out some less-than-scrupulous individuals who tried to vote early and often – one school emerged as the clear winner: Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.” Alex Cornell du Houx, a Maine state representative and member of the CDAAA Board of Directors, said in announcing the winner of the runoff vote. “In addition to Austin Peay, we couldn’t be more excited to award health care action grants to College Dems chapters at Florida International University, Georgetown University and the University of Wyoming. The grant applications we received show just how excited College Dems across the country are to organize for health care reform.”

Andrew Lewis, President of the Austin Peay College Democrats, had this to say upon being notified of the award: “To be selected for this grant by national election is truly an honor, not just for our chapter, but for Austin Peay State University and the great state of Tennessee. As college students, we look to build on this accolade by continuing to lead the charge for progressive health care reform.”

Echoing the sentiment was Adam Haynes, President of the Tennessee Federation of College Democrats, saying: “The state federation is very proud of the work of all of our chapters in working on healthcare reform. APSU winning this grant shows that this chapter is setting itself to be a leader on this and many issues. I am glad that CDAAA recognized the potential that Austin Peay and the TFCD has to be true leaders on a range of issues.”

About Austin Peay College Democrats

Through promoting the ideals and beliefs of the Democratic Party, the mission of the Austin Peay College Democrats is to unite progressive students on the Austin Peay State University campus to encourage activism and foster interest in government and politics.

Washington

“We feel we are making progress toward ensuring 8th District families have access to news, information and recreational programming that originates from our state and best serves our local communities,” Congressman Tanner said.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently passed the Satellite Home Viewer Reauthorization Act with amendments that help further two of Congressman Tanner’s priorities to impact Tennesseans’ channel lineup options. The bill must still be scheduled for consideration by the full House, and similar legislation must also be deliberated in the Senate.

Congressman Tanner has also discussed with the Federal Communications Commission the difficulties some Tennessee families have experienced in receiving digital TV signals.

DMA Reform

Congressman Tanner and others have highlighted how some local areas – including Lake, Obion and Weakley counties in Northwest Tennessee – have limited access to in-state news, weather and athletic programming because they are geographically included in designated market areas (DMAs) based in other states. This drastically reduces the number of information sources available about issues affecting the state.

The bill passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee requires the FCC to issue a report on how many households receive local broadcasts originating from out-of-state and whether the DMA structure can be adjusted to provide consumers with more in-state programming.

Tanner said this is a major step, insisting that the FCC re-examine limitations in the current DMA structure.

Local Channel Availability on Satellite

Currently, many families live in areas not serviced by cable companies but with a satellite TV provider that does not provide local programming. These families also are often denied local news, information and athletic programming about their communities. A provision in the legislation passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee would accelerate the process for requiring satellite companies to provide this local television coverage to these customers.

This is of particular interest to many rural families in West Tennessee, Tanner said.

Closing Gaps in Digital TV Coverage

Some neighborhoods, including many in Middle Tennessee, are still unable to receive digital television signals, even after the mandatory transition from analog to digital broadcast signals in June. Congressman Tanner wrote to the FCC to raise the concerns of affected Tennesseans.

“Constituents… have expressed considerable displeasure over their inability to receive signals despite purchasing converters [and] antennas, and performing all the re-scanning steps recommended by the FCC,” Tanner wrote in his letter to the FCC.

The FCC assured Tanner it will continue to work on closing DTV blind spots.

“The Commission is assisting any station requesting action to mitigate or resolve reception issues that surfaced after the June 12 transition,” the FCC wrote in a response to Tanner.

Congressman Tanner said all of these issues will continue to be a priority for his office.

“We will continue working toward expanding the available programming options that help Tennesseans stay in touch with their local communities and our state,” Tanner said.

About John Tanner

Congressman John Tanner

Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard, Tanner chairs the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and is serving a two-year term as NATO PA President.

Today the U.S. Senate blocked critical  legislation to protect access to doctors for the 44 million Americans who rely on Medicare.  The Medicare Physician Fairness Act (S. 1776) would have replaced today’s broken doctor payment system, which calls for a 21.5 percent cut in physician pay in January.  The bill failed to pass a key procedural vote in the Senate today.

“While we are disappointed by today’s outcome, we applaud those senators casting a yes vote for voting to preserve access to doctors in Medicare and bring this bill to the floor for an up-or-down vote,” said AARP Tennessee Advocacy Director Patrick Willard.  “This critical legislation would have helped the millions of older Americans in Medicare have access to the doctor of their choice by replacing the flawed doctor payment system.  We look forward to continuing to work with Senators Alexander and Corker and their colleagues to pass health care reform that protects Medicare and ensures older Americans can afford quality health care.”

Willard added: “We are disappointed that Senators Alexander and Corker voted to block this important Medicare bill from open debate and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.  This bill would permanently replace the broken Medicare physician payment system so people in the program could continue to see their doctor.”

AARP strongly supports the Medicare Physician Fairness Act, introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).  This legislation permanently repeals Medicare’s flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) physician payment formula, which has required repeated Congressional action to prevent unwarranted cuts that could harm access to doctors for people in Medicare.  Repealing the SGR will stop an unprecedented 21.5 percent pay cut that otherwise will occur in January 2010, and additional cuts in future years.

AARP notified the 111^th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its 40 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members. “We believe people make the right choices when they understand the issues and position taken by their elected officials.  AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information,” Willard concluded.

About AARP

With more than 700,000 members in Tennessee, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org.  AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Washington – U.S. Rep. John Tanner, chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, joined with colleagues in thanking federal agencies for improving service to wounded warriors who are eligible for Social Security disability benefits. These improvements were cited in a new report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Tanner also urged the agencies to make additional improvements recommended by GAO.

“The Subcommittee on Social Security is committed to ensuring that those who have made great sacrifices in service to our country receive prompt and fair treatment when they apply for Social Security disability benefits,” stated Chairman Tanner, a veteran of the United States Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard. “I applaud the Social Security Administration for the success of its efforts to improve outreach and service delivery to wounded warriors, and I am confident the agency will work hard to address the remaining barriers identified by the Government Accountability Office.”

“We owe a debt of gratitude to all who have worn the uniform,” added Congressman Sam Johnson, an Air Force veteran, former Prisoner of War and Ranking Member on the Social Security Subcommittee. “One of my top priorities is helping current and former military men and women get the care they deserve and the benefits they merit. While I am pleased to learn from the GAO that Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and the DOD are making progress when it comes to educating our wounded warriors about Social Security disability benefits and expediting their claims, there is more work to do. Specifically, we must improve outreach in veterans’ hospitals and expedite the transfer of DOD medical records to Social Security so younger combat wounded veterans will have better, faster access to the benefits they have earned. America’s servicemen and women are the cornerstone of our democracy and they should expect nothing less.”

Service members who have been seriously wounded may be eligible for Social Security disability insurance (DI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits from SSA, in addition to possible disability benefits from VA and DOD. In 2007, advocates began reporting that wounded warriors – service members wounded since 2001 in Iraq or Afghanistan – often did not know about SSA’s disability benefits or were encountering barriers when they attempted to apply.

The Social Security Subcommittee has urged SSA to make improving service delivery to wounded warriors a top priority. In addition, the Subcommittee asked GAO to conduct a study to determine what challenges wounded warriors face in accessing SSA’s disability benefits and what SSA, DOD, and VA have done to address these problems.

GAO’s report, released October 15, found that SSA, DOD and VA have worked together since 2007 to significantly expand outreach to wounded warriors to inform them about SSA’s disability benefits. GAO also found that SSA has successfully taken measures to expedite these disability claims, with help from DOD and VA.

Not all service delivery problems have been fixed, however. GAO found that some wounded warriors still face delays in receiving benefits from SSA because DOD does not transfer their medical records to SSA quickly enough. GAO recommended that DOD and SSA work together to address this problem. In addition, GAO recommended that SSA and VA work together to expand outreach to already-discharged veterans to make sure that they are aware of SSA’s disability benefits. The report identified several groups in particular need of outreach, including those suffering from traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Chairman Tanner and Ranking Member Johnson joined colleagues from other House subcommittees to urge Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue to promptly carry out GAO’s further recommendations.

“Again, we commend you on the success of your efforts to improve service delivery for wounded warriors who may be eligible for Social Security or SSI disability benefits, and look forward to working with you to ensure that they are fully informed about these benefits,” they wrote in letters to the agencies.

About Congressman John Tanner

John Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard, Tanner chairs the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and is serving a two-year term as NATO PA President.

Nashville – Senator Beverly Marrero of Memphis drew high marks Friday for her stewardship of the environment, receiving the highest ranking of any legislator on the Tennessee Conservation Voters’ annual scorecard.

“None of us are surprised to see Senator Marrero perched atop the scorecard for the General Assembly,” TCV executive director Chris Ford said. “Her voice is strong, and her door is always open to us. Be it advocating against nuclear waste or for clean water, this lady means business when it comes to our health and Tennessee way of life.

State Senator Beverly Marrero

Senator Marrero was particularly proud of her fight against a bill that would have rolled back restrictions on selenium in Tennessee’s water. The bill eventually was struck down by a vote in the House.

“This bill would have handcuffed Tennessee to the relaxed environmental regulations set by the EPA under the previous presidential administration,” she said.

“The selenium standard established in 2004 was based on unsound research and should not serve as a guideline for Tennesseans who care about their water quality.”

TCV evaluated all House and Senate members for their action on bills that affect the environment and awarded or subtracted points accordingly. Senator Marrero scored 11 points – more than anyone else in the House or Senate.

Other action that won Senator Marrero points with TCV:

• A measure to specify that landfills cannot receive nuclear or radioactive materials – which Senator Marrero will continue to push for when the legislature reconvenes.
• Opposition to a bill allowing gun carry permit holders to take handguns into parks and other similar public places.
• A bottle bill to reduce litter and encourage recycling.
• Tighter rules for the disposal of coal ash, like that which was spilled at a TVA plant last year, affecting 300 acres in Roane County and going into the Emory River.
• A bill setting minimum energy efficiency requirements for specified appliances.
• A requirement that environmental interests have more equitable representation on air, water and solid waste quality control boards.

About Tennessee Conservation Voters

Tennessee Conservation Voters is a statewide non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to protect Tennessee’s environment and preserve the state’s natural resources through legislative advocacy.

About Senator Beverly Marrero

Senator Beverly Marrero represents portions of Memphis. Contact her at sen.beverly..gov or (615) 741-9128 or 312 War Memorial Building, Nashville, TN 37243-0028.

State Rep. Brian Kelsey

Nashville – Representative Brian Kelsey announced yesterday that he will introduce the “Health Care Choice Act” in an effort to lower health insurance costs and provide choice to Tennesseans. The legislation would allow Tennesseans to purchase health insurance plans from companies in other states, a practice that is currently prohibited.

“Americans want and deserve health care reform but not the government-run health care that is being discussed in Washington. This legislation is health care reform at the state level that will lower heath insurance costs and provide more choices to Tennesseans,” said Representative Kelsey.

The Health Care Choice Act will expand the number of health care plans available for purchase from 127 in Tennessee to potentially more than 5,000 plans nationwide¹.

“The goal is to lower costs by offering more choices,” continued Kelsey. “With this legislation, Tennesseans will have more access to affordable health care insurance.”

Co-sponsor Representative Joey Hensley, MD, the only physician in the General Assembly, stated, “It’s important that people have the option to be able to purchase affordable insurance plans without the limitations of individual state mandates. As a physician I have seen first hand the problems people have obtaining reasonably priced insurance and this would expand the pool from which people have to choose insurance plans. Competition in the market place will lower prices and increase the quality of their choices.”

At least 5 other states have introduced similar legislation, including New Jersey, Colorado, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington. A bill introduced on the federal level aims to allow states to enter into an interstate compact to sell health insurance over state lines. The Washington Post recently reported that Tennessee’s own Senator Bob Corker is pursuing legislation on the federal level to allow a new insurance exchange, allowing companies to compete across state lines nationwide.

Co-sponsor Representative Bob Ramsey, a dentist, added, “My constituents are disappointed and frustrated with Washington’s current discussions on healthcare reform. I feel compelled to examine and offer a more efficient and rational solution. I am proud to join my House colleagues in this alternativeBo endeavor.”

“It’s time for state legislatures to weigh in on this national debate and take a stand against government-run health care,” said Kelsey. “I look forward to having this discussion with my colleagues, so that we can work together to make health insurance more affordable for more Tennesseans,” he concluded.

1According to eHealthInsurance.com

Prior to the event, Jonathon Fagan, chairman of the Rutherford County Democratic Party, was quoted by the Murfreesboro Post as saying, “The candidate that wins this straw poll will send a strong message to the party, press and donors for weeks to come that they are a serious candidate to move our state forward.”

Herron won decisively with 119 votes, 38 percent in a five-person contest. Full results are below:

• Sen. Roy Herron – 119
• Sen. Jim Kyle – 81
• Kim McMillan – 58
• Mike McWherter – 32
• Ward Cammack – 13
• Undecided – 12

At the event, Sen. Herron said his top three priorities are “jobs, jobs, and jobs,” and the top three ways to get these jobs are “education, education, and education.”

“Tennesseans share these priorities,” Herron said. “Tennesseans want hard work, straight talk, and strong values.”

Herron earned his reputation as a hard worker over his 22 years in the Tennessee legislature by holding over 1,000 listening meetings, perhaps more than any other Tennessee legislator. He has missed only one day of legislative session – the day his youngest son was being born. For fun, Herron runs marathons, and he has completed three 140.6-mile Ironman triathlons.

About Roy Herron

Sen. Roy Heron

Roy Herron was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1986. He has served in the state legislature for 22 years, including 12 years in the Senate, where he was Democratic Floor Leader and Democratic Caucus Chair. A small-town attorney, businessman, and former minister, Sen. Herron has also written three books, including God and Politics. He lives in Dresden with his wife of 22 years, Nancy. Soon his third son will join his father and brothers as an Eagle Scout, the seventh in their family.

Republican candidate for US Congress Donn Janes (left) discusses the direction of the country and the need for change with another fellow veteran during the Veterans Campaign seminar at Princeton University.

Donn Janes, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee’s 8^th Congressional District, recently returned from a two-day candidate seminar at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public Affairs. The seminar was hosted by Veterans Campaign, a non-partisan, non-ideological training program aimed at preparing veterans to run for public office.

“The candidate training conference covered topics ranging from public speaking to grass roots organization,” said Janes, a first-time candidate for political office. “Those of us who attended are not career politicians. The attendees and presenters were veterans who are trying to make a difference and looking for ways to continue our tradition of service to this great country by running for public office.”

The Veterans Campaign is dedicated to assisting veterans in their run for public office because they believe veterans possess many qualities necessary to serve our country well in public office. According to Veterans Campaign, because of their military experience, veterans have outstanding leadership experience, are capable of succeeding in the face of adversity, intimately understand the human consequences of foreign policy decisions, and, most importantly, they have demonstrated their willingness to put America and its citizens before their own well-being.

About Donn Janes

Donn Janes

Donn Janes, is a Navy veteran and businessman from Brighton, who served as an Electronic Warfare Technician while in the Navy until his honorable discharge in 1989. Janes is an outspoken critic of how Republicans and Democrats have both continued to ignore any calls for fiscal responsibility and continue to plunge the United States deeper into debt.