“After long thought, we of the University of Tennessee College Democrats Executive Board have decided to support Tim Barnes in the Primary Race. Tim Barnes is a statesman, not a politician. He is concerned first and foremost with his constituents. Barnes has no hidden agenda or lust for power; he simply wants to serve his community. In particular, Barnes is dedicated to education, an issue extremely important to the College Democrats. He supports the continued expansion of the HOPE Lottery Scholarship Guidelines to include as many students as possible. In addition, he supports efforts to expand vocational opportunities and increase funding for education so that Tennessee’s schools become second to none.”

This move is “unusual,” Kelly said, “but considering the recent actions of Senator Kurita (D-Clarksville), we believe it to be warranted.” Kelley charged that Senator Kurita “has chosen to advance herself over the best interest of her district.”

Kelley noted that in 2007, Senator Kurita voted to oust Tennessee’s most senior statesman, John Wilder (D-Somerville), in favor of a Republican for Lt. Governor. For this, she was rewarded with a leadership position in the Republican controlled chamber. This vote led to the stalemate that exists in the Tennessee State Senate today, as well as the hold up of several important pieces of legislation including issues of Lottery Scholarship GPA and Judicial Selection. It is clear to this board that Rosalind Kurita can no longer claim to represent the values of our party.

In supporting Tim Barnes, Kelley said that “Tim Barnes is a democrat we can trust. On issues like education, we know that Tim Barnes will put the interest of this state above his own personal interest. We know that Tim is dedicated to his district and dedicated to his party. That’s the kind of democrat we need and that is why we have chose to support him. On August 7, 2008 we encourage all our members in the 22nd Senatorial District to come out and support Tim Barnes.”

The 22nd Senate District includes Cheatham, Houston and Montgomery Counties.

Senator Kurita and Tim Barnes presented opening and closing statements before fielding questions from panel members Frazier Allen, Britney Campbell and Jay Abertia.

In the opening statements, Kurita, who has a nursing background, said that she has worked to bring services to seniors in their homes. She has worked for expansion of the HOPE lottery scholarship to include older ages, has supported tax relief for disabled vets and a freeze on taxes for low income seniors.

Barnes said that he has been led to this challenge in order to serve the public. He doesn’t believe in cutting ‘back room’ deals to serve his own needs, implying that Kurita was working toward a bid to become governor. He’s mindful of not losing the confidence of friends and cited his loyalty, caring attitude and responsiveness to people.

In wrapping up their statements, Kurita said that she “helps people.” Barnes said he’s “a work horse rather than a show horse.”

To the question of what should the State of Tennessee provide during both good and bad economic times, Kurita answered with ‘health care, education, jobs, balanced budget and no new taxes.’ Barnes said that we must maintain our roads as well as health care, insuring those who are uninsurable, and education.

Barnes cut into Kurita, saying that she did not vote for a #9 lottery scholarship bill which would have helped more people get scholarships. Kurita stomped on that comment, charging that Barnes was deliberately misinforming people. She said a bipartisan bill was passed that gave more to scholarships and if he “had done his homework” he would know that.

They both said they stand for health care and education. Barnes cited Kurita as taking money from the Lottery to build energy efficient schools. She said yes, she did and added that the payoff will come back to the city from that. She also favored extending the lottery to include older people returning to school.

How to deal with illegal aliens? Barnes: Get the Feds to do their job. Kurita: I have a serious problem with just wishing it on the Feds. Stiffen fines on people who hire them. Documentation and tax paying should be required of all working peoples.

Kurita said she has a bipartisan track record. Gridlock stops us whereas civil conversations that is open to all solutions help us solve problems. Barnes said there’s a time and place for compromise; one needs to look for solutions. Some things shouldn’t be compromised, but relationships should be maintained.

Stance on income tax?

Barnes: On the record for opposing a State Income tax. It does not draw businesses here. Kurita: On the record as opposing a State Income tax. She has been under a lot of pressure to vote for one but her district made it very clear that they did not want one. She said she is a strong enough fighter and can resist it.

Energy resource question. Barnes: invest in ethanol; it will boom our economy 10-15 years down the road.

Kurita: (deep breath) Energy resources are a most important issue. She is the only Senator chosen to serve on the Governor’s energy resources task force. Get off of fossil fuels, use the Manhattan project. Use switch grass and woodchips here in TN. Why buy from foreign countries who hate us? There is a UT lab and another lab that is almost there with technology for us to use.

Kurita values energy resources, health care and education.

Barnes values education. And expanding the police force, which Kurita voted against.

Barnes: Work closely with local officials and market this area. Businesses need to know about our great schools and transportation. Change the limit of what we can pay on marketing.

Kurita: I changed that law this year; if you would have researched, you would have known. Develop the school system, get energy initiatives. We need to shine.

Energy incentives

Kurita. Tax rebate for purchasing programmable thermostats. Achieve independence in energy conservation. Barnes. At $4.00 a gallon for gas people are at the end degree that they can be squeezed. People will have to carpool. The State government cannot impact the cost of oil and gas. Take personal steps to conserve.

How will you stay in touch with your district?

Barnes: That’s the biggest complaint I hear about Kurita. My cell phone number is 931-801-3298. I will talk to you.

Kurita: That is an outrageous implication. We have helped 12,000 people. I call people personally. I hold town hall meetings; I run surveys in the paper. The things I have done are things that people tell me they want done.

For the state of TN Kurita has worked on disease awareness, greenways and hiking trails. For schools that have no recess she wants to increase physical activity to 45 minutes a day in elementary and middle schools. She’s behind public service ads about obesity and the danger of smoking and non-seatbelt use.

Barnes: Public schools have no recess? That’s news to me. Agrees that we need physical activities. He is in triathlons. He wants grants for more athletics.

A priority for Barnes is more money for APSU. He lives and sleeps with a lobbyist for APSU (his wife who teaches there).

Kurita: She goes to APSU and works in classes with students. Good jobs are increased by good education. She got the non-traditional scholarships for more students.

Kurita said the economy is weighing on people. We get good jobs through education. Takes a team to fix health care and she is involved civically in the community.

Barnes said people are worried about paying $4.00 a gallon for gas. The government can’t fix this problem. Say yes to college, it is the hope for better jobs.

How to keep seniors in their homes?

Barnes: In home health care, he pushed it 2 years ago.

Kurita: That’s a step we’ve already taken. Have to have good bookwork for these things. Real health care also involves helping with things like house cleaning. We have done it. This was the year it happened.

Do you vote? Kurita: Yes, consistently. Barnes did not vote for President in 2000. Why not?

Barnes: I don’t recall that. I’m interested in politics; if I missed that year I don’t recall and defer to Rosalind. Kurita was stopped mid saying, you don’t remember if you voted for President of the US?

Should the school lottery be used for anything else?

Barnes: Kurita used lottery money to build energy efficient schools. Should have put that money into students.

Kurita: I voted to use Lottery money to build geothermal schools. The long term savings is that utility bills will stay low and we have efficient schools. We are building one school a year.

Closing:

Barnes: I see the sunrise from my porch. I can’t take credit for making the sunrise. I see that kind of credit taking from my opponent. Voting for something is not the same as making it happen. I think she is ostracized by her own party. I think you should represent your own democratic constituency.

Kurita: I went to a town hall meeting in Erin where a Grandmother pleaded with me to help her injured army grandson to be sent here to Ft. Campbell. They were not able to help him where he was. My office did that for them. I work hard for people. My opponent throws hideous accusations about me, yet as an attorney he gets drunk drivers out of court and back on the road. He helps wife beaters get off scot free. Reevaluate this as you judge us. I have done my job; I take care of people. I am bipartisan. I listen to you.

Early voting is from July 18 through August 2

Before leaving the building I said hello to Senator Kurita. From first hand experience, I witnessed her handing over checks to Port Royal to help its Trail of Tears site, Dunbar Cave for interpretation and Wounded Warriors, a scuba diving group that helps wounded soldiers. She is pushing for the state to have more fuel efficient automobiles. She is high on the conservation evaluation of her.

I also said hello to Tim Barnes and his wife. Mrs. Barnes said that she works in the English Department at APSU. I was shocked that I have never met her before, but realized it is because I have never run into her at events run by the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts. This center brings in authors and artists as speakers to APSU.  *see my comments below.

Going to my car I met Maria and Charlie Butler who said they are totally against Kurita because she passed the no smoking bill in TN. Since then Maria has lost a lot of customers in her 12-year-old business, Maria’s Wagonwheel.

The 105th General Assembly adjourned “Sine Die” this week, concluding a contentious session in which lawmakers were forced to make difficult decisions regarding the lottery scholarship program and the budget. Ultimately, legislators came together to form compromise legislation that will greatly benefit Tennesseans by allowing more students access to college, passing a budget with no new taxes, and providing seniors with more healthcare options.

Budget passes both chambers at eleventh hour

The 2008-2009 budget was passed late Wednesday night, and is lauded by Republicans as a fiscally responsible one in which reasonable cuts in growth were made. The total budget, which includes federal dollars, for 2008-2009 is $27.5 billion, $245 million less than originally proposed in January. The 2007-2008 total budget was $27.75 billion, $250 million more than this year’s. The state portion of this year’s budget was $13.6 billion, a $200 million decrease from 2007-2008.

April 2008 was the worst month on record for revenue growth in Tennessee, and the third quarter of this fiscal year was the second worst quarter on record. Projections show that the fourth quarter—of which the state is halfway through—could be even worse.

State Employees

The budget that was approved will eliminate 2,011 jobs—roughly 5 percent—in the executive branch through voluntary buy-outs, which is anticipated to have a price tag of approximately $50 million. The one- time money will be taken from departmental reserve accounts, and will save the state about $64 million annually. The Governor has added
approximately 5,000 jobs in his tenure, meaning the cuts make up 42 percent of Bredesen hires.

From the beginning, the Administration was optimistic that those employees who will be targeted for the buy-outs will voluntarily take them. It was reported by the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System last week that many state workers were interested in the buy-out plan, although they wanted to hear more details before committing to anything
concrete.

Education

This year’s budget protects education, and continues to fund the Basic Education Program, the plan by which the state disperses dollars to local school systems at last year’s same percentage of funding. Although there is no increase in the state’s percentage of BEP funds as was anticipated for this year, there is a required increase of $59 million to cover inflationary costs for the school systems.

For higher education, however, the state made a cut of roughly 4.1 percent, or about $56 million. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is expected to work with the two systems, the Tennessee Board of Regents and University of Tennessee system, to distribute the cuts. Republicans are hopeful that the schools can make cuts wherever possible instead of simply passing the reductions along via tuition increases.

Lottery compromise reached in final hours

One of the most contentious and complicated issues of the year, the sweeping lottery scholarship legislation, passed both chambers this week. After a decision could not be reached by each chamber independently, both the House and Senate appointed a conference committee to examine the options. The conference committee, made up of both Senators and Representatives, presented a “conference report” to the legislative bodies to either be adopted or rejected. Ultimately, the House passed the measure with a vote of 92-2.

The final proposal is slated to give 12,107 students the opportunity to participate in the HOPE scholarship program. Many Republican lawmakers expressed concern, however, over the $27.5 million price tag. Members argued that the proposal stretched the lottery scholarship fund too thin, with the state spending more than the fund could ultimately sustain.

The legislation will allow a student to maintain the HOPE scholarship by keeping a grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 for 60 hours of classes. At the conclusion of 60 hours, in order to continue to receive the HOPE scholarship, the student must achieve a 3.0 GPA for the next semester or 12 hours and for the remainder of the students’ college career. The GPA is no longer based on a cumulative score, butonly based on semester averages. The new legislation also provides a one-time regain provision.

The legislation also provides for the following:

• $10 million to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) for the purpose of awarding need based grants, impacting 5,000 students;

• The “Helping Heroes” program, which is projected to assist approximately 375 students at $1.5 million over two years;

• A pilot project to provide students enrolled in dual enrollment courses with laptops, to benefit 100 students in each grand division;

• A full HOPE scholarship to two-year institutions with on-campus housing;

• Allowing students to maintain the HOPE scholarship for a full five years;

• Additional funds that become available will fund the Energy Efficient Schools program at $100 million

House unanimously approves “Long-Term Care Community Choices Act”

This year, the General Assembly passed a comprehensive long term care package that aims to use the dollars allotted to the state’s system more effectively by allowing seniors to “age in place.” Some of the key provisions in the legislation include greater access to home-based care, simplifying and streamlining the process, and adding more diversity to the system. Republicans have been championing the cause for several years and were pleased to see the measure
passed.

The “Long Term Care Community Choices Act of 2008” is designed to promote independence, choice, dignity, and quality of life for the elderly and/or people with physical disabilities who need long-term care support and services from the state’s TennCare program. The overhaul will include consumer-directed options that offer more choices regarding the kinds of long-term care services people need, where they are provided, and who will deliver them, with appropriate mechanisms to ensure accountability for taxpayer funds. The changes to the system will be phased in as new applicants are admitted over the next couple of years.

In Brief…

• House Bill 2486 passed the House of Representatives this week 96-0. The bill extends the Class E Felony charge of making false and malicious reports of physical abuse against children. Current law provides the Class E Felony sentence for instances of sexual child abuse; this legislation extends it to all instances of false reports of any child abuse.

• A measure championed by Republicans for several years passed the House of Representatives this week. House Bill 2718 enacts the “Tennessee Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act.” The legislation authorizes various entities to manufacture identification documents so long as the entity’s name is printed upon the face of such ID. The bill includes various

• businesses, schools and other organizations. The special joint committee to study the administration of the death penalty was extended this week in the House of Representatives. House Bill 2733 lengthens the reporting period of the committee from one year from the appointment of all members to October 1, 2009. The measure comes in the wake of a Kentucky court case questioning the method of lethal injection as a violation of the 8 th amendment. Ultimately, the United States Supreme Court held that lethal injection did not constitute “cruel and unusual” punishment.

• House Republicans sponsored and passed legislation this week that make various clarifications to the Open Meetings Laws. House Bill 3637 makes clear that the open meetings requirement does not prohibit discussions or the communications of factual information between individual members of a governing body where the purpose is to educate members on a specific issue.

• House Bill 0164 passed the House of Representatives this Wednesday. The legislation prohibits certain convicted felons from possessing a rifle, shotgun, or any other firearm. Current law only prohibits against the possession of handguns. The bill stipulates the felony must be one using or attempted use of force, violence, or a deadly weapon or the felony is a drug offense.

• A measure to encourage environmentally friendly cars overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives. House Bill 2794 adds alternative fuel and hybrid electric motor vehicles to the present list of vehicles authorized to drive in the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane.

• H.O.P.E. eligibility drops to 2.75
• Helping Heroes Act helps Tennessee vets return to school
• Longterm Care Act helps elderly stay at home

NASHVILLE – Citing expansion of lottery scholarship programs and passage of sweeping reforms of Tennessee’s long-term health care system, among other accomplishments, Democratic Leader Senator Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, and Democratic Caucus Chairman Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Goodlettsville, today said the Senate Democratic Caucus had successfully weathered difficult times during the second session of the 105th General Assembly and had “continued to stand up for Tennessee families.”

“The national economic downturn had a major impact on the state’s finances, but Senate Democrats did what Tennesseans elected us to do, we balanced the budget without new taxes,” Kyle said. “We handled the budget in a business-like fashion, and we did this while addressing our priorities. We pressed on to expanded opportunity for college students, and we prevailed.”Haynes added that legislation enacted this year by Senate Democrats will improve the quality of life of Tennesseans. Haynes added:

“Everyone is feeling the pinch of skyrocketing gas prices and the soaring cost of health care. Senate Democrats have taken major steps to make long-term care more readily available and easier to access for our senior citizens, and we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in helping thousands of students gain the college education they need to be successful.”

Senate Democrats played a major role in successfully negotiating a re-adjustment of the grade point average required for Tennessee college students to keep lottery HOPE scholarships. Under current law, scholarship recipients must have a 3.0 GPA by the end of their sophomore year to maintain a scholarship. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission reported last year that 70 percent of HOPE recipients failed to keep their scholarships under this requirement.

Under the new provisions, scholarship recipients are required to have a 2.75 cumulative GPA by the completion of their sixth semester in college. Throughout the remainder of their college career, they are required to have a 3.0 GPA for each semester and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in order to retain their scholarship. If they fall below these requirements, they are allowed one opportunity to regain their scholarship.

Senate Democrats had fought to adjust the retention standard to a 2.75 GPA at any point in a college student’s career. This move was opposed by Senate Republicans.

“This compromise isn’t everything that we wanted, but it moves the ball substantially down the field. If Tennesseans want a different lottery scholarship program, they need to elect more Democrats to the Senate. –Sen. Jim Kyle

Haynes agreed the compromise is a victory for Tennessee college students.

“Our goal is to increase the number of Tennesseans that get their college degrees. The previous retention standard yanked scholarships from students halfway through their college careers. That made no sense. The new standard will help hard-working students stay in college and get their degrees. The more college graduates we have, the better.”

Kyle noted that Senate Democrats had successfully expanded the opportunity to get a college education to an additional 12,000 Tennessee students through changes to the lottery scholarship program.

Tennessee Student Assistance Award Fund: Sponsored by Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, the Tennessee Student Assistance Award Fund transfers $200 million from lottery reserves into an endowment that will fund grants offered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. TSAC will use interest earned on this principle to offer financial assistance for higher education to Tennessee students. These awards are based on financial need. Berke said:

“We must make sure that those who cannot afford the tuition for college still have the opportunity to attend. With 50 percent of this money going to families with incomes under $12,000, the TSAC grants move us in the right direction.”

Highlights for the Senate Democratic Caucus during the second session of the 105th General Assembly include:

Helping Heroes Act: The Helping Heroes Act creates a scholarship program to provide up to $1,000 per semester for Tennessee veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that attend approved state institutions of higher learning on a full-time basis. Total benefits are capped at $8,000 and must be used within eight years of the end of military service. Eligible veterans must have been honorably discharged from the military and must have received the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. They must also meet all residency requirements established by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee veterans attending college receive approximately $39,000 in benefits from the G.I. Bill. With the addition of the Helping Heroes Act, a college education will be virtually free for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in Tennessee. “Over 12,000 Tennesseans have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan,” Kylesaid. “I can’t think of a better cause than giving educational assistance to these brave men and women.”

Long Term Care Community Choices Act: Sponsored by Sen. Lowe Finney, D-Jackson, and co-sponsored by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, the Long-Term Care Community Choices Act sets up a system of long-term care designed to promote home and community-based services, reduce fragmentation of service delivery, and create one-stop shopping for information about long-term care options and delivery of services, among other provisions. In the summer of 2007, a special joint committee began discussing improvements to Tennessee’s long-term care system. Finney served as vice chair of the committee.

In January, Governor Phil Bredesen joined the effort to fundamentally restructure how the state provides health care for its senior citizens. The committee found that Tennessee was decades behind other states in how it delivered long-term care services, the eligibility process was slow, and many service providers were overburdened by the state in their attempt to diversify types of care. “Our state provided good services, but the current system is simply confusing, inefficient and disjointed,” Finney said.

“The new system will be comprehensive. Although it will take a few years to fully implement, the bill will address our system from the top down, including services that are offered, licensure of care providers, and expansion of community-based alternatives to quality assurance. Under the Long-Term Care Community Choices Act, the state and care providers will seamlessly coordinate the kinds of care people need. Care providers will be better-prepared to assist individuals transitioning to or from nursing facilities and community-based care. A single point of entry will help individuals and their families assess options for care and how to access them. And the eligibility process will be streamlined so services can be delivered with ease and speed.

“For years, Tennesseans have often had one choice: nursing homes. What became apparent during our committee meetings is that many individuals need nursing facilities, but there are also many others who are able, and wish to, remain in their homes while receiving medical care.”

The Long-Term Care Community Choices Act will ensure that if an individual desires more cost-effective care at home or in the community, he or she will be able to access those services.

Tennessee Rural Health Act: Sponsored by Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, and Sen. Steve Roller, D-McMinnville, the Tennessee Rural Health Act creates a pilot program for Tennessee students studying to become designated types of health care professionals that agree to practice in rural and other underserved areas across the state. Students that enter the program will agree to practice medicine in a “health resource shortage area” for one year for each year of educational funding provided by the program. Recipients will be required to repay all funds received under the program if they fail to practice medicine in a health resource shortage area for the full time required. Health resource shortage areas are designated as such by the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health. Rowler said:

“No one in our state should be forced to go without health care because there aren’t trained medical professionals available. This is an important program that will ensure our rural Tennesseans have the health care that they need and deserve.”

• Revised State Budget
• StateEmployee cuts
• Higher education under the budget knife
• Brick and mortar projects for K-12 schools
• House approves changes to HOPE scholarship
  

Governor, Commissioner of Finance speak on revised budget plans

The Governor addressed a Joint Convention of the General Assembly this week to lay out his revised budget proposal to members of both chambers. As the state continues to learn more accurate numbers of revenue projections, lawmakers took time to examine where the most conservative and fiscally responsible cuts in growth could be made. Governor Bredesen, in his speech Monday night, advised the legislature that the state would need to “tighten our belt,” and reminded them that tough decisions lay ahead.

April 2008 was the worst month on record for revenue growth in Tennessee, and the third quarter of this fiscal year was the second worst quarter on record. Projections show that the fourth quarter—of which the state is halfway through—could be the worst on record. Two dozen states are currently facing budget shortfalls, some of which began last year. The total proposed budget is $27.4 billion, approximately half a billion less than last year’s $27.9 billion budget. Although the proposed budget forgoes any additions to the Rainy Day Fund, the state will not be dipping into the reserves for cash. The Rainy Day Fund is projected to reach $750 million by July.

State Employee cuts

The Administration is still proposing that 2,011 jobs—roughly 5 percent—in the executive branch be eliminated through voluntary buy-outs, which is expected to have a price tag of approximately $50 million. The one-time money would be taken from departmental reserve accounts, and will save the state about $64 million annually. The Governor has added
approximately 5,000 jobs in his tenure, meaning the cuts make up 42 percent of Bredesen hires. From the beginning, the Administration has been optimistic that those employees who will be targeted for the buy-outs will voluntarily take them. It was reported by the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System earlier this week that many state workers were interested in the buy-out plan, although they wanted to hear more details before committing to anything concrete.

Basic Education funding safe; higher education faces cuts

The current proposed budget protects education, and continues to fund the Basic Education Program, the plan by which the state disperses dollars to local school systems at last year’s same percentage of funding. Although there is no increase in the state’s percentage BEP funds as was anticipated for this year, there is a required increase of $59 million to cover inflationary costs for the school systems. For higher education, however, the Administration is proposing to cut 4.1 percent, or about $56 million. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is expected to work with the two systems, the Tennessee Board of Regents andUniversity of Tennessee system, to distribute the cuts. Republicans are hopeful that the schools can make cuts wherever possible instead of simply passing thereductions along via tuition increases.

House reaches agreement on “technical corrections” bill

In 2000, the legislature passed a law that set up family-owned non-corporate entities (FONCEs). These entities have enabled thousands of Tennessee families to pool their resources and purchase commercial property for the purpose of
long-term investing and receiving passing income. Families use FONCEs for covering a wide array of costs, such as college tuition, retirement or estate- planning purposes. Many families have utilized these LLCs and LPs because of their unique tax advantages and liability protection. The Governor’s debated “technical corrections” bill, House Bill 4129, contained a provision that would remove the franchise and excise tax exemption for family LLCs and LPs. The state’s franchise and excise tax is imposed on businesses for the privilege of doing business in Tennessee. General partnerships and sole proprietorships are not subject to the tax. Republicans expressed their concern that many Tennessee families who are simply trying to make ends meet in this difficult economy would be disproportionately impacted by requiring FONCEs to pay franchise and excise taxes. They argued that the provision is not “closing a loophole,” but a tax increase that would cost Tennessee families a substantial amount of money, making it very difficult to run a “mom and pop” business. Due to such objections, the FONCE provision was ultimately stripped from the bill, passing with a vote of 62-29.

House approves lottery legislation

With a vote of 92-1, the House approved the comprehensive lottery plan on Thursday night. The legislation, which the House addressed last year in the final hours of session without a final decision, changes the eligibility
requirements for Tennessee’s HOPE scholarship, which is funded through the Tennessee Lottery. Under present law, in order to retain the scholarship, the student must have at least achieved a 2.75 GPA, and then a 3.0 for each semester following. The legislation passed on Thursday by the House would keep the GPA requirement at a 2.75 GPA. Additionally, the bill allows students to drop from full-time to part- time without losing their scholarship. Currently, students who enroll as full-time and drop to part-time lose the scholarship. The changes are expected to cost $17.5 million in lottery revenue. The Senate version, however, would give students an extra year to bring up their GPA. It stipulates that if after the first and second year the student has maintained a 2.75, they must achieve a 3.0 by their junior to keep the scholarship. The Senate plan is projected to cost $7.2 million.

Brick and mortar projects for K-12 schools

With many local governments facing the same budgetary woes as the state, House Republicans fought for lottery reserve money to be sent back to local school districts in the form of capital outlay projects, as the state constitution requires. Republicans emphasized the need for K-12 school construction, as many school systems across the state struggle. The GOP plan called for setting a $250 million threshold to secure the lottery scholarship fund, making all the reserve money above that available for K-12 school construction. The money would be available through a dollar-for-dollar matching grant, and the amount given toeach school system would be granted on a per pupil basis. House Republicans proposed the plan last year, and garnered 69 votes on the House floor in the final days of last year’s session. Ultimately, however, the legislation was put on hold until 2008. The provision narrowly failed. Instead, a proposal that aims to make schools more energy efficient through both grants and loans won approval. Many Republicans argued that the plan does not put dollars where they are so desperately needed, pointing out that energy efficient windows were not a priority for schools with leaky roofs and children in portables.

Weekly Wrap In Brief…

House Bill 0583 was passed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday with a vote of 97-1, and will create a criminal offense for communicating a death threat to a school employee or a student.

The House also approved House Bill 4089 / Senate Bill 4104 with a nearly unanimous vote. The legislation authorizes, but doesn’t require, school systems to develop and offer an elective course that would study the Bible’s influence on art, music, culture, and history.

House Bill 1442 has successfully passed both chambers of the General Assembly and prohibits all members of county election commissions and the state election commissions from participating in the management or leadership of a political party of political campaign. In addition, commission members will not be allowed to publicly endorse a candidate for office.

Legislation passed in the House on Thursday will give even more opportunities to Tennessee students to learn through the creation of a Virtual Education Program. The program, established through House Bill 1872 / Senate Bill 2008, allows local school systems to create “virtual schools” which delivers a significant portion of instruction to its students via the Internet in a virtual or remote setting.

Next Week [*Times are subject to change]

Monday: Budget Subcommittee, Legislative Plaza Room 16, 9:30 a.m.
Finance, Ways, & Means Committee, Legislative Plaza Room 16, following
Budget
Calendar and Rules Committee, Legislative Plaza Room 16, following
Finance

Tuesday:
House Floor Session, House Chambers, 9 a.m.

One might believe I am only referring to the plight of the blacks. That is far from the truth. Throughout the history of the United States, there were servants of all ethnicities and both genders.

I make this statement as a prelude for my response to Leaf Chronicle editorial (12.31.07). The editorial addressed the division of funds generated by the Tennessee Lottery to fund the HOPE Scholarship program. The apparent position of the writer was that anyone who can not maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average doesn’t deserve a chance to achieve a college education. Let me remind that writer that there have been presidents of this country who had less than a 3.0 GPA, and some who had no formal education at all.

The Tennessee Lottery was enacted as be a carrot for those children and their families who are not financially capable of providing an upper level education for their children. Basically, it was enacted as a beacon of hope to the underserved population of our communities.

Although we (humanity) can be quick to condemn individuals who look and act differently from the way we’ve been taught, it serves no purpose to deny our children an education simply because they failed to meet a standard we arbitrarily set.

Setting the GPA at 3.0 is simply a means of establishing a permanent underclass within our society. In other words, as long as we have those who cannot meet our standards, we will have the workforce that can be preyed upon to do the menial tasks we choose not to do.

In 2005, our state legislators voted to sanction a lottery system to generate funds for use in assisting our youth in the realization of the American dream: “an opportunity to acquire a college education.” With our approval, Tennessee was moving in the direction of becoming an inclusive state. Modeling the lottery after the neighboring states of Georgia and Kentucky, officials put in place a program that would soon become a catalyst to help the state’s disadvantaged children become productive citizens.

Lately, a growing trend is focused on taking away this beacon of HOPE. There are those who feel the monies collected as a result of enacting the Tennessee Lottery could be used for other purposes. According to the Leaf Chronicle opinion, building schools should be one of those alternatives.

The writer of the editorial surmised that a child who maintains less than a 3.0 GPA is not worthy of receiving support from the HOPE Scholarship Fund. This position, I believe, is based on personal bias and ingrained indignation for the child who is struggling to get out of a cold bed in the morning, dress him- or herself and make it to the bus stop because they hope a better day is just over the horizon.

That horizon includes the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, established to give deserving children a means of divesting themselves of the drab conditions they are forced to survive in each day of their lives. To these children, HOPE means they do have a chance to do better; they can strive to work for employers that will pay them more than minimum wage. It means not having to live from paycheck to paycheck. It means being able to afford to buy fruits and vegetables, having a real family, being able to afford medical insurance for themselves and their families, being able to provide dental care for themselves and their family, owning a nice car and being able to afford the fuel and maintenance required to maintain it, owning versus renting the house they reside in, and allowing them to build a retirement fund to be left to their children and their children’s children upon their demise. Believe it or not, ALL of these quality of life elements require an education.

Americans that I respect have vision, integrity, and pride. Let us stop stereotyping those who are less fortunate than we are and start encouraging our youth to reach for the stars. Simply put—Lets keep the HOPE in the Hope scholarship program.