Tennessee State Capitol

On Thursday, the House overwhelmingly passed the “Tennessee Clean Energy Future Act,” a bill designed to reduce Tennessee energy consumption as well as help expand opportunities to bring more green technology jobs to the state.

“Green legislation is more than just being good for the environment,” said Pitts. “This bill is about saving taxpayers money, expanding job opportunities for unemployed Tennesseans and doing our part for national security by making Tennessee more energy independent,”

Under the new bill, state government will attempt to lead by renovating state building to be more energy efficient, replacing the state’s aging car fleet with alternative fuel and energy efficient vehicles, and providing tax incentives to green technology companies that relocate to Tennessee.

“The more we cut down on our state’s energy use, the more savings we can hopefully put back in the pockets of working Tennesseans,” said Pitts. “These improvements to state government mean more efficient building and cars and continue to put Tennessee at the forefront of green technology.”

In addition to the new state standards, the bill also encourages residential standards be placed on all new home constructions in Tennessee. The legislation is subject to the will of local governments, so any county or city commission not wanting to adopt the energy-efficient requirements can opt out of the program. With Tennessee being one of the top states for wasted residential energy use, the standards are expected to greatly reduce the cost on new homeowners.

“These residential standards mean lower energy bills, safer construction and better resale value in the future,” said Pitts. “It’s a win for the environment, for the homeowner and the state of Tennessee.”

The House version of the bill now heads back to the Senate where it will be voted on later this week.

The House Democrat Review is a weekly feature that gives Tennesseans an in-depth look at what our Democratic state legislators have been working on this week, and a glimpse into what’s planned for the coming week at our state house. This week:

• Unemployment
• Education

House Democrats sponsor bill to let unemployed go back to school

Legislation allows laid off workers to retain unemployment benefits while going back to school

NASHVILLE – On Thursday, State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville), along with all present members of the Tennessee House of Representatives, voted to give laid off Tennesseans the ability to go back to school without losing their unemployment.

“There are tens of thousands of Tennesseans who have lost their jobs during this economic slowdown and currently they can’t go back to school without losing the one thing keeping them from being out on the street,” said Pitts. “We should be helping these people retrain for the jobs of tomorrow, not forcing them to choose between a roof over their head or the classes they need to succeed in tomorrow’s economy.”

Under the legislation sponsored by State Representatives Joe Towns (D-Memphis), G.A. Hardaway (D-Memphis) and Henry Fincher (D-Cookeville), a person who is currently receiving unemployment benefits due to losing their job would not be denied those benefits if they choose to go back to college while they continue their search for new employment.

“We have people of every age and background no longer able to find work because their skills don’t match the available jobs,” said Pitts. “This legislation allows people to gain the skills they need without having to sacrifice the only source of income available to them.”

The bill passed the House unanimously 96-0 and will now wait on the Senate to take action on the measure. Earlier this month the bill was placed in the General Subcommittee of Commerce, Labor and Agriculture. The United States Congress is also slated to take up similar legislation later this year.

The House Democrat Review is a weekly feature that gives Tennesseans an in-depth look at what our Democratic state legislators have been working on this week, and a glimpse into what’s planned for the coming week at our state house. This week:

• State Budget
• Truth in Campaigning

Final revenue projections to be released in preparation for budget negotiations

(NASHVILLE) – As many committees and subcommittees conducted their final meetings of the 2009 Session, the Tennessee House of Representatives also began the process of drafting a final budget for the upcoming 2009-2010 fiscal year.

“We deal with a variety of issues throughout the year, but the most important work we do is creating a balanced budget that funds those programs important to working Tennesseans,” said State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville). “Our state has a tradition of passing balanced budgets and this year will be no exception.”

On Friday, the state funding board meets to set revenue projections for the coming fiscal year. Expectations are low that state revenues will make a significant rebound. Once the projections are announced, state representatives will begin the final stretch of the 2009 session. Governor Bredesen is also expected to deliver his final budget amendment later this month.

“Even though we have the help of the American Recovery and Revitalization Act from Congress, the bottom line is that we have to make some very tough cuts in order to balance our budget,” said Pitts. “Just like working families across Tennessee have to make tough choices in these tough economic times, so too will the House of Representatives.”

DEMOCRATS LEAD CHARGE FOR TRUTH IN CAMPAIGNING

Legislation holds political campaigns and bloggers to same standards at news media

On Monday, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to adopt the “Fair Campaigning Act of 2009,” a bill that would address false attacks and hold political campaigns, organizations, bloggers and others to the same standards as traditional news media outlets.

“The public has for too long been subject to false and inappropriate ads from out-of-control political groups,” said Pitts. “No matter what party you belong to or what issues you support, you should always speak truth to the public and those who choose to promote false information should be held accountable.”

Under the bill, if a person or campaign knowingly publishes, broadcasts, or distributes any false and defamatory campaign literature or political advertisement relating to the conduct, fitness, or record of a candidate for public office, then that person could be held liable in a court of law.

“For too long we have allowed false information to run around as truth and rewarded such inappropriate behavior,” said Pitts. “With this legislation, civil discourse and quality debate among candidates is protected and those who engage in lies can be appropriately punished.”

The legislation is scheduled to be heard in the Senate State & Local Government on May 5th and could be passed by the Senate later this month.

Unemployment has now reached 9.1% in Tennessee, with Perry County topping the list at 27%. Tax collections and state revenues are down, just as the need for government assistance and public services is skyrocketing. The number of people on food stamps, along with those losing their health insurance increases exponentially, while manufacturers and retailers from Memphis to Kingsport shut down their businesses – wiping out relatively good-paying jobs and whole regional economies.

Enter the Tennessee Republican Party, who declared victory upon taking the reins of leadership in the General Assembly for the first time since Reconstruction. The TNGOP, who barely eked out a win here in November, moved quickly to announce an agenda that would show all Tennesseans that the Republican Party was ready to handle the economic crisis.

Or not.

On November 10, 2008, just days after their election win, Republican leaders announced their agenda in the Memphis Commercial Appeal would include “allowing people with gun carry permits to take their firearms into places that serve alcohol“, “limits on… malpractice and other liability lawsuits”, “giving legislative leaders more control in the appointment of members of the judicial nominating commission”, “taxpayer funds for new [charter] schools, rather than [for] local school boards”, and their unflinching support for SJR-127, an anti-abortion bill that even its supporters admit does absolutely nothing to reduce the number of abortions in Tennessee.

But wait, there’s more. On February 23, 2009, TNGOP leaders announced a revised agenda for their legislative goals. Could it be that the Republicans decided that due to the economic crisis that they would focus more on checkbook issues? Or jobs? Not a chance. Instead, the Republicans added even more irrelevant, if not downright dangerous bills to their docket. More NRA bills, including ones to “reduce public and government access to gun owner information” a law that “would remove a requirement for gun dealers to thumbprint buyers,” and another that “would make handgun permit application information confidential”. Now, even state election laws are in the sights of Tennessee Republicans (who now happen to control every single county election commission in the state). For example, the “Voter Confidence Act” a bipartisan bill which passed last year and guaranteed an auditable paper trail for all voting machines, is in serious danger of being modified or killed. And there’s another Republican favorite – requiring a photo ID to vote – that they believe will stop hordes of illegal immigrants from voting, even though it is practically impossible for illegal immigrants to actually receive a voting card and there is zero evidence that this is actually happening. And lest we forget, the party of “family values” has decided that only straight, married people are fit to be parents, despite the fact that Tennessee sits at the top or near the top of the list among all states in divorce rate, domestic abuse, child abuse, and violent crime.

So there you have it. In the midst of one of the worst financial crises our state has seen since the Great Depression, the new Republican majority offers us Big Government on choice, adoption, and a living wage (by overturning the will of Memphis citizens who voted in favor of a living wage ordinance), the liberalization of our state gun laws, “judicial selection” (read: court-stacking) and “election reform” (read: voter suppression). Oh, and did I mention that about half of the Republican delegation actually believes that the President is not an American citizen?

In contrast, the Tennessee Democrats – by no means a poster child for liberalism – are nonetheless pushing a relevant agenda that is rooted in real-world solutions to real-world problems that affect nearly everyone in the state. According to a press release by the House Democratic Caucus, their agenda includes “providing quality education for all… increasing jobs and economic opportunities… promoting fiscal responsibility… providing affordable healthcare… supporting Tennessee’s ‘golden generation’… promoting equality and diversity… protecting Tennessee’s most vulnerable… improving safety and reducing crime… honoring patriotic service… investing in energy efficiency and protecting the environment”.

And despite now being the minority party that has a limited ability to move legislation, there are real bills by the Democrats that back up their agenda – bills that are struggling to get out of the Republican-controlled committee structure. Just a few worth mentioning include the “Pay Equity in the Workplace Act” which seeks equal pay for women doing the same work as men, “Helping Heroes” legislation that would expand education grant programs and funds to include current members of a reserve or National Guard unit, and “Crooks with Guns” legislation supported by district attorneys and law enforcement associations which would put tougher penalties on gun criminals. Democrats are also proposing a series of unexpectedly progressive environmental bills like HB2318, which among other things requires that statewide building construction safety standards include provisions for energy efficiency. And to his credit, Governor Phil Bredesen seems intent on closing a tax loophole that out-of-state businesses have been exploiting for years.

Time will tell whether Tennessee Democrats stand behind their new populist agenda. There is a long history in this state of Democrat appeasers who would rather just go along to get along then stand for something (the main reason the Democrats lost the election, by the way) and breaking that pattern entirely will take a long time. But when it comes to the issues, for those of you who still think that there’s little difference between the Democrats and Republicans in Tennessee, compare these two statements. Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory): “working families in Tennessee are hurting and desperately needing legislators to put them first.” And Tony Shipley (R-Kingsport): “they can do whatever they want out in California, with gays passing babies around, and violating God’s law, but when God drops California off into the sea, they will have to deal with the consequences of their actions.” With priorities like these, the Tennessee Republican Party won’t enjoy their majority status for very long.

In that debate, Moderator Gwen Ifill asked Senator Biden if he supported “as they do in Alaska, granting same-sex benefits to couples.” His answer was a resounding, “absolutely.” He further said that under an Obama administration, there would be no distinction between same-sex couples and heterosexual couples. When pressed on whether he supported gay marriage, he said no.

Palin’s response was, well, pathetic. It was the same kind of yammering she gave Katie Couric on the topic only a day before that she has “dear friends” who were gay and that she would “tolerate” and “be tolerant” of same-sex couples. Never mind the fact that she’s said before that she believes that sexual orientation is a choice that can be “prayed away.”

Let me say this clearly. I don’t care how much of a pit bull she thinks she is. Sarah, you and your “tolerance” can bite me. We don’t need “tolerance.” We don’t even need assurances that “contracts can be signed.” What we really need is protection — from people just like you.

Tolerance indeed. The last thing we need is a vice president who doesn’t even have the guts to even talk clearly about same-sex couples. She’s no barracuda. More like a betta. That’s a teensy little fish that’s all frills and fight, and wouldn’t even be a proper snack for a cat.

But, I digress.

This only illustrates the simple reality – both parties are the same on paper. Democrats are often long on promises, but short on delivery. Bill Clinton’s promise to allow gays to serve in the military collapsed into the single worst policy in US military history: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. This would allow gays to serve as long as they don’t act gay or disclose their sexual orientation.

Obama has promised to rescind the policy and let gays serve. McCain promised to take advice from his generals (most of whom are as homophobic as their grunts). But would either actually sign any law that would grant gays to serve their country with honor? Well, I’m not going to hold my breath.

As I’ve said before, the big issue in 2004 and 2006 was gay marriage. States all around the country have clamored to pass anti-gay marriage amendments because they all know what Biden said: that the constitution allows for same-sex marriage. This is why bigoted reich-wing groups like the American Family Association are so adamant to get these atrocities passed – not because they’re afraid of “activist judges,” but because they know the Constitution (darn that pesky fourteenth amendment!) guarantees equal protection under the law. So their only hope is to write discrimination into a document that is at its core — liberty.

Many of my fellow gay activists are angry that none of the Presidential or Vice Presidential candidates openly supports gay marriage. Truthfully, I’m okay with this. Because of this, it actually takes the candy of anti-gay bigotry out of the mouths of the already-sugar high right wing nuts who are salivating to have their pet issue back on the lips and ballots of the American people. Too bad. Maybe they’ll boycott themselves one day.

In fact, two of the three states that have constitutional amendments on the ballot, Florida and California, are likely to reject those amendments. The third, Arizona, already has rejected it once. It’s not the driving issue of the day. Thank God.

Let me say this, though. The United States of America, as a whole, is not ready for gay marriage. This isn’t an issue that’s going to go away overnight, and it’s not going to be solved with a simple presidential proclamation. As time goes on, we’ll see more and more states pass laws allowing for civil unions and domestic partnerships. If we’re EVER to see gay marriage in all 50 states, then it will be through education, understanding, and something far more than tolerance: patience. Americans are slow to change, and we’re slow to look beyond ourselves. But that’s what it’s going to take.

If we’re ever to see marriage, we’ve got to have a full set of protections in place first. Why the hell are we blathering about marriage, when in many states – including Tennessee – we don’t even have basic protections in housing and employment? What good is it to be able to marry when there aren’t even hate-crime laws in place across most of the country — including in Wyoming, where Matthew Shepard was killed ten years ago? There’s not even a hate crime law in place at the federal level!

Seriously, folks – let’s not get into the idea that we have to have this pie in the sky when we don’t even have the key ingredients needed for that pie? When even Alaska has a meager domestic partnership policy in place – mandated by its supreme court, it’s clear that we have a long way to go. That policy is still in flux, and several attempts have been made to nullify the court’s ruling. As a my friend Michael Rowe says, Quel surprise! “Tolerance,” indeed.

So we only got one question in the Veep debate. And it was about gay marriage. The two candidates even agreed on it. “Okay, let’s move on,” Ifill said. What an excellent idea.

As posted on Skipping to the Piccolo

The House Democrat Review is a weekly feature that gives Tennesseans an in-depth look at what our Democratic state legislators have been working on this week, and a glimpse into what’s planned for the coming week at our state house. 

House Passes Property Tax Relief Increase for Disabled
Representatives also tackle predatory mortgage lenders & long-term care

NASHVILLE (April 17) – On Monday the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to expand the availability of Tennessee property tax relief to more homeowners who are totally and permanently disabled.

“During these tough economic times many people are struggling just to keep food on the table, and have little to no money left over,” said Finance Chairman Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley). “By raising the maximum income requirement, more people will be able to take advantage of this tax relief opportunity and hopefully be able to utilize that money for more immediate needs.”

Under the new legislation, the maximum allowable income for determining eligibility to participate in the state’s tax relief program for homeowners who are totally and permanently disabled is increased to $24,000 a year. This program compliments additional tax relief programs already in place for people over 65 year of age as well as those who have been injured while serving in the military.

“Anytime you can lessen the economic burden on those who already have more than their fair share of burdens, you do it,” said Fitzhugh.

New Legislation Combats Current Crisis of Predatory Mortgage Lenders

Also on Monday, House Members voted overwhelmingly to allow Tennessee to participate in a program designed to provide consumers a central location to review state licensed & registered mortgage companies with whom they want to do business. This nationwide mortgage licensing system is known as “The System.”

“Our current economic crisis is thanks, in large part, to predatory mortgage companies offering unreasonable loans to people who could not afford to make the payments,” said State Representative Curt Cobb (D-Shelbyville). “We must take steps to protect consumers from greedy lenders who think nothing of the long-term consequences, both to the individual as well as the community.”

Tennessee now becomes the 39^th state to enter into the The System and joins 42 other state agencies, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico participating in the program. The System is expected to save Tennessee significant resources by automating and streamlining agency processing of mortgage licensing/registration applications and renewals. The System will also improve Tennessee regulators’ ability to supervise mortgage lending and brokering and enhance the ability to take enforcement actions against corrupt individuals.

“We cannot simply turn a blind eye to the disaster that has become the housing market,” said Cobb. “Working people are losing their homes because someone decided to take advantage of the system and we must do all that we can to not let that happen again.”

The bill now heads to Governor Bredesen for his signature.

New Requirements Passed to Protect Seniors in Long-Term Care Insurance Agreements

On Thursday House Members unanimously passed a bill protecting seniors looking to buy long-term care insurance. House Bill 4206 modernizes current regulation of long-term care insurance and provides better protections from non-forfeiture benefits, incontestability periods and insurance producer education.

“Our greatest generation deserves to have the best long-term care benefits possible, and our boomer generation will be there soon enough,” said State Representative Eddie Yokley (D-Greeneville). “We must protect our seniors and give them every opportunity to have the benefits and resources they need to live out their remaining years without the stress of financial uncertainty.”

Under the new legislation, long-term care producers are now required to receive an additional eight hours of training on the sale of long-term care insurance. It also revises state law to meet with Congressional requirements so that Tennessee may participate in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which includes the Long-Term Care Partnership Program.

“We continue to work at long-term care in Tennessee and it is my hope that residents will see significant improvements in Tennessee’s long-term care options in the near future,” said Yokley.

The bill is expected to be taken up on the Senate floor later this month.

Competitive Cable & Video Services Act Announced: New bill designed to promote a climate of competition

NASHVILLE (April 10) – On Monday, House and Senate Members announced they had reached a compromise between cable television providers and AT&T, and introduced the “Competitive Cable and Video Services Act.”

“In business, for the consumer to win there has to be competition,” said Chairman Charlie Curtis (D-Sparta). “By creating a climate of competition, this new bill will encourage providers to deliver better quality services throughout Tennessee and spur faster development to underserved areas.”

Under the new bill, competitors would be able to obtain a ten-year state franchise certificate from the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) with the requirement that the company must build-out to at least 30% of their existing service area within 3.5 years. Companies would also be required to expand 25% of their total new services to underserved and low-income areas. Failure to meet either of these goals would result substantial financial penalties.

“While we want to open up this industry to as many competitors as possible, as legislators our first priority is to the citizens of Tennessee,” said Chairman Ulysses Jones, Jr. (D-Memphis). “These new requirements will ensure quality services are provided to as many Tennesseans as possible and deter the practice of cherry-picking neighborhoods.”

The new legislation also takes steps to protect local interests, specifically the power of local government. Under the new bill local franchise fees direct to local governments will remain in effect and any construction of right-of-ways will be under local regulation and approval.

“As a former county mayor, I realize that local governments have a vested interest in seeing more competitors invest in their areas,” said Chairman Randy Rinks (D-Savannah). “This bill reaffirms local government’s place in the process and allows them to have the final word in the development of their neighborhoods.”

The bill began its process through the committee system of the House and is expected to be heard on the House floor later this month.

New Law to Require Background Checks for Day Care Workers Passes House

Also on Thursday, the House of Representatives unanimously passed tough legislation requiring criminal background checks on those applying for jobs in day care.

“Too often we hear horror stories of abuse in day care facilities that could have been avoided had proper screenings been done,” said Rep. Gary Moore (D-Nashville). “We must do more to protect our children and this legislation looks to do that.”

House Bill 3264 revises current law to require criminal background checks be completed before any approval of employment within a child care facility as well as be completed before foster care or adoptive parent rights are approved. Under the previous law information necessary for a background check could be submitted up to 10 days after employment was started or approval was given. This left a large window of opportunity for predators to potentially exploit the system.

“We have to continue to be vigilant when it comes to the safety of our children, and this new law does just that,” said Moore.

Precious Metals Theft Bill Overwhelmingly Passes Out of House
New Legislation brings much needed regulation and tougher penalties

NASHVILLE (Mar. 20) – This week the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that brings new regulations to the scrap metal industry and tougher penalties on violators.

“With the price of copper going up over 400% in just five years, scrap metal theft has become the new way to score big bucks,” said Chairman Mike McDonald (D-Portland), prime sponsor of the legislation. “This new legislation will significantly limit a thief’s ability to sell the metal he’s stolen and, if he still tries to do it, we’ll be able to track him down pretty quickly.”

Under the new legislation, scrap metal dealers who buy and sell in precious metals may not buy or otherwise acquire metal from anyone who does not present a valid state or federally issued photo ID and may not sell to anyone under 18. Dealers must also require a thumbprint record of a person who wishes to sell scrap metal to the dealer, and a record of that transaction with detailed information must be kept on site for at least three years. Dealers will also need to register with the Department of Commerce. First and second violations will result in a Class A misdemeanor charge, with a third violations resulting in a Class E Felony.

“These new regulations mean law enforcement can now aggressively track stolen copper and other precious metals,” McDonald said. “Thieves wanting to sell their loot will have to register with the dealer, which I’m fairly sure isn’t something they will want to do.”

HB2433 passed with a vote of 90-0-2, with two members present not voting. The bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature and will take effect on October 1 of this year.

Education Bills On Calendar for Full Committee This Week

A number of bills focusing on the spending of lottery surplus dollars are expected to be heard in the full House Education Committee this week. One of the primary bills House Democrats are supporting is a bill that would reduce the retention requirement for the HOPE Lottery Scholarship from a 3.0 to 2.75. Currently over 70% of incoming freshman who qualify for the HOPE Scholarship lose the funding after the first year.

“Hope is what this lottery scholarship is supposed to bring to thousands of Tennesseans trying to achieve the American dream of a college degree,” said Education Chairman Les Winningham (D-Huntsville). “How are we bringing hope to our students when more than two-thirds are not able to maintain the required GPA? It doesn’t add up.”

Two other bills also expected to be presented this week are the Helping Heroes Act and the Rural Health Act. The Helping Heroes Act specifically targets Tennessee’s Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are returning from service overseas and finding that the current GI Bill only covers about 65% of the total cost of college.

“It is unbelievable that our fighting men and women, who already sacrifice so much in their service to this country, are coming home to find out that college is just not possible like it was for the greatest generation coming home from World War II,” Winningham said. “We must do better for our veterans, and this bill helps bridge a gap that the federal government has been unwilling to pay for.”

Under the terms of the bill, Tennessee’s military veterans who qualify for the GI Bill would receive an additional $1,000 per semester for up to the four-year period required to graduate.

The Rural Health Act of 2008 looks to fix a problem that is plaguing many of Tennessee’s rural counties. Every year it becomes increasingly harder to find medical professionals willing to come out to rural communities and practice medicine. With medical school so expensive and the healthcare industry in such turmoil, future doctors and nurses have little incentive to give up the high-paying city life.

“People in rural parts of this state shouldn’t be forced to drive two and three hours just to get to the nearest medical professional,” said Representative Eddie Yokley (D-Greeneville). “We need to give our doctors and nurses more incentive to seek out careers beyond the major cities.”

With the Rural Health Act, for every year that a medical student commits to practicing medicine in a designated rural community in Tennessee, that student would receive one year of tuition funding. The bill provides a win-win for the community and for the students. Students can receive the funding that many so desperately need, while rural communities can have access to some of the best and brightest doctors and nurses available without the long commute into town.

“The more we work towards improving our education system, from pre-K to college, the better the long-term prognosis of our state,” Yokley said. “It all starts with education.”

Both bills are slated to be heard next week.

House Democrats Bring Home Schools First Funding, nearly $184 million in additional K-12 funds expected next year.

This week House Democrats were presented with the 2008 – 2009 projected BEP 2.0 funding numbers which show that, thanks to the Schools First Initiative passed last year, Tennessee’s local schools are estimated to receive $183.2 million in additional funding.

“When we first began the task of improving our K-12 schools in Tennessee, we wanted to do it in a way that wouldn’t put undo burdens on local governments,” said Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington). “Thanks to the Schools First Initiative, we were able to increase education funding by over $340 million last year and nearly $184 million this year, while at the same time reducing the pressure on counties to have to raise their property taxes.”

The projected funding numbers are expected to increase average teacher salaries to $39,000, while the burden on local governments to raise property taxes will continue to be reduced. The total percentage of instructional cost contributed to local school systems by the state will increase next year to 71.5%.

“Thanks to the hard work and effort of legislators, on both sides of the aisle, we were able to pass new legislation that allows lower and middle class students the opportunity to see improvements in their local schools,” said House Education Chairman Les Winningham (D-Huntsville). “We must continue to improve our public education system here in Tennessee, so that every child in our state has a chance at the best education possible.”

Expanding Pre-K to All Children in Tennessee Continues to be a Priority

In addition to increasing K-12 funding by over $340 million, lawmakers last year also added over $25 million for additional pre-kindergarten classrooms, raising the total number of classrooms across the state to 934. Currently over 17,000 students are enrolled in pre-K programs in Tennessee, and this year the House plans to expand classes even further with another $25 million in funding, offering pre-K instruction to all of the over 78,000 four-year-olds in Tennessee.

“We expanded college education through the Tennessee Lottery Hope Scholarship, we continue to expand funding for K-12 schools and this year we hope to give every child in Tennessee, regardless of background, the opportunity to get off on the right foot with pre-K,” said Winningham. “Education is the foundation of a successful life in this country and I will continue to strive to make sure a quality education is available to every student and family in Tennessee.”

The House Education Committee is scheduled to discuss education funding later next week.

For years, less privileged Americans have had to read about the triumphs and victories of selected famous elected politicians in our history books. Each and every ingredient required to run for office is well documented and available to the people via internet, written publications, and media sources. But the right combination on how to apply those ingredients and how much to use for political success has always been the missing link among candidates struggling for local office — and the ultimate political heavyweight prize of them all, the Presidency of the United States of America.

Barack Obama’s underestimated strategical skills by his competitors at assembling a top notch campaign team allowed him to fly under the radar for a little while as he raised millions of dollars, rejuvenated the young voters, and gained the respect and support of Middle America and veterans alike. The lesson I hope is realized by both Democrats and Republicans is that the players in this new era of politics do follow Party lines to some extent, but free agency is now the name of the game. In other words, how can I, as your elected official, help you?

History repeats itself, but this time the media and the internet to a large degree will determine some outcomes. For example, there was an email hoax flying around the internet claiming that Senator Barack Obama was a Muslim and was sworn into office using a Holy Koran. This email is about as true as the email suggesting that if you send this message to 50 people you will receive a free laptop computer. Even as I prepare to cast my primary vote at the Montgomery County Election Commission, I overheard this hoax repeated.

Now the oath of office hoax came from the internet, so only the internet can clear it up — so with one click of a mouse, behold the truth is found: Senator Obama is a devoted Christian and was sworn into office on the Holy Bible.

Vote with intelligence: use your well-researched information and use your brain, not your conscience. Barack Obama is the person I chose for this story but who you vote for is ultimately up to you. This is just a reminder that time brings about change, and the political and civil rights power structures have shifted both locally and nationwide.

In the world of political competition, it still boils down to who assembles the best team with the best minds in the room; it does not necessarily boil down to the best money can buy or who has what credentials on paper.

We saw how the world’s oldest civil rights organization, the NAACP, was affected when former Verizon CEO Bruce Gordon came in and tried to make the organization less reactive and more proactive, but his team, the 64 members plus the board, could not find middle ground. It did not signal the downfall of the NAACP, which remains strong as ever, but merely reflects a call for change after 98 years of activism.

Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, Alan Keyes, Carol Moseley Braun, and Al Sharpton are all candidates that ran for president and were all labeled black candidates — which really meant, fit for only blacks to vote for. To date the playing field is not yet equal, and the black candidate labeling continues. Strategically speaking, this time I like our chances.

Don’t forget to vote!

Editors Note: The Tennessee Presidential preference Primary is Feb. 5.

The bill raises fuel efficiency standards, requiring that cars average 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020. Although this is quite modest compared to other countries standards, it represents the first US increase in efficiency standards in over 30 years.

The bill also mandates that some of the electricity produced by utilities come from renewable sources. Contact your legislators to support this minimal change to US energy policy. Support H.R. 6

Such is the case with the hate crimes bill, familiar to many as the Matthew Shepard bill, a meticulously drafted act that would have categorized crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation as hate crimes. Matthew Shepard was a young, gay university student in Wyoming who was beaten into a coma and subsequently died.

The Matthew Shepard Bill was a bill whose time had not only come but was terribly overdue, but being incorporated into a package of military spending (i.e. Iraq War funding) resulted in a kill on the battlefield of equal rights and civil liberties. Matthew Shepard and gays across America have become casualties of war.

Sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy and garnering the support of most Democrats and many Republicans, the bill still fell some forty votes short of passage in the U.S. House of Representatives, and that failure should be considered a crime against human rights. The root cause of this failure was the link to escalating cost of war in Iraq.

Perhaps it is time for truly important bills to be presented on their own merit and not be linked to such an unrelated hot button items as military spending. It is my fervent hope that the leaders in our Congress who supported this bill will not allow it to fade away.

The Matthew Shepard Bill would have been landmark legislation for the protection of millions of Americans against hate crimes. Instead, a vote against Defense Department spending became a vote against human rights.

Senator Rosalind Kurita, Speaker Pro Tempore, and Rep. Joseph Pitts of the 67th District are featured guests.

The MCDP is also asking for donations of American-made toys for the annual Fire Fighters Toy Drive. Toys may be brought to the party. the public at large is also asked to support the Firefighters toy drive with donations of toys that can be dropped off at any fire station in Clarksville.

For more information, call 931-216-9795 or 931-801-4821. Information on American made toys can be referenced at Clarksville Online’s Nov. 25 story, Toy Shopping? Buy Made in the the USA“.

When Democrats from five Tennessee counties gather at the Charles Hand farm, Ben Johnson is sure to be there with his campaign buttons, lapel pins, and bumper stickers. Johnson, who lives in Lebanon, Tennessee, was quick to point out that he makes his wares “for democrats only,” and will use only Union vendors to print his products.

In fact, the theme of the day was a strong support of Unions throughout the area. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents Trane workers locally, was a major sponsor of today’s event.  The strong Union presence was in honor of the Labor Day event.

According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day was first celebrated in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. By 1894, the US Congress had passed its recognition of Labor Day as a national holiday to be celebrated on the first Monday of September of every year.

The Ballistic Pintos of Old Hickory, TN performs at the Charles Hand Farm. Photo by David W. Shelton

The strong Union presence was matched by a sincere excitement of area Democrats who had a single mission in mind for next November’s election, as voiced by Kim McMillan, senior advisor to Governor Phil Bredesen: “Tennessee is and will be a blue state.” This was a message that was voiced by nearly everyone who spoke at the event.

Speakers were quick to point out that their mission wasn’t to put an end to the Bush regime, but rather send home those who they say “empowered” him. One target is the US Senate seat currently occupied by former governor Lamar Alexander. McMillan introduced Mike McWhorter, the son of another former governor—Ned McWhorter—as a possible candidate. His mission, McMillan said, would be to “send Lamar and that plaid shirt back home.”

McWhorter has not officially announced his candidacy, but said that he was seriously considering the option. He pointed out several issues that he would address, including the war in Iraq, which came up often throughout the night. Republican policies in Iraq, he said, “are wrong.” He also said that the current administration is “mortgaging our country’s future” with an “out-of-control” national debt.

Tennessee’s Democratic party president Gray Sasser addressed a general excitement for the future for the party in the state, and said that the party’s primary goal is “to make darn sure that no red pickup truck will ever get anywhere near the White House next November.” The reference was to the popular “red pickup truck” senatorial campaign led by former Republican US Senator Fred Thompson, who announced his candidacy for the Presidency this week.

Other speakers for the event were 5th District Congressman Jim Cooper, TN AFL/CIO president Jerry Lee, and the keynote address was provided by the R. Thomas Buffenbarger, International President of the IAM union. Buffenbarger has served as president of that union since 1997.

The day wasn’t all speeches and rhetoric, though. Music was provided by the Ballistic Pintos, a country group out of Old Hickory, Tennessee. The group featured drummer Richie Albright who often played with Waylon Jennings, and vocals by Bobby Keel.

State Senator Rosalind Kurita talks with attendees at the Labor Day Celebration. Photo by David W. Shelton

There was a dart competition between unions, for which a trophy was awarded to the United Auto Workers, who apparently “played only slightly less badly that everyone else.”

Attendees had an opportunity to vote for their nominee for the President of the United States of America. In an informal (and unofficial) straw poll, Hillary Clinton was the clear favorite, with John Edwards coming in second.

The day wasn’t without its lighter moments, which featured “the world’s smallest horse,” as described by his owner, local attorney Kevin Kennedy. He said that the miniature dwarf horse, “Twinkie the Wonder Horse,” is only 46 pounds and 16 1/2” tall. The equine miniature was a star attraction, drawing children from all over to pet a horse that was far smaller than they were.

Clarksville electrician Bill Edmonson provided democratic spirit by donning a donkey mask, which he kept on throughout the speeches. Edmonson offered plenty of applause and “thumbs ups” for the speakers.