NASHVILLE – On Monday, State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville) and members of the House and Senate were presented with Governor Phil Bredesen’s seventh State of the State Address.

“These economic times are tough on everyone, especially working families,” said Pitts (D-Clarksville). “Governor Bredesen made it clear in his speech that while we need to make some tough cuts to our budget, laying off workers and cutting education funding is not the way to bring us through this financial crisis.”

During his speech, Governor Bredesen announced his desire to maintain our education funding for K-12 and Pre-K classrooms, as well as challenged the Board of Regents, the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to “step outside the box” in trying to find ways to make higher education more affordable.

“Now, more than ever, is the time that Tennesseans need to be able to afford a college education, said Pitts. “When the economy begins to turn around, our citizens need to have the skills and resources necessary to earn those new jobs that will be created.”

Finally, the governor spoke about working to make Tennessee the home of green technology research, specifically in the area of solar energy. With the recent announcement of Hemlock Semiconductor investing over $1.2 billion into a new solar panel plant in Clarksville, as well as the continuing development of cellulosic ethanol plants throughout the state, Tennessee has the potential to become the national leader in green technology.

“Like Michigan and the automobile industry in the early 20th Century, Tennessee could become the home for green technology manufacturing in the United States for the 21st Century,” said Pitts.

Governor Bredesen will again come before a joint session of the House and Senate later next month to present his budget.

House Members Begin Adjustment to New Bipartisan Committees

This week House Democrats and Republicans met for the first time to begin committee meetings under the new leadership announced by Speaker Kent Williams.

“As with any new experience, these split committees will take some getting used to,” said Pitts (pictured at right). “However, I am confident that we can put the people of Tennessee first and leave the partisan politics at the door.”

Of the thirteen standing committees, seven have Republican chairs while six are Democrats and all but two committees have evenly split memberships. The Government Operations Committee has a one-vote majority for the Democrats, and the Calendar Committee has the same split for the Republicans.

“These new bipartisan committees will give us the chance to really hone our skills as legislators and find ways to compromise and cooperate with each other so that we can do what’s best for Tennesseans,” said Pitts.

The schedules for all committee meetings and floor sessions can be found on the Tennessee Legislature’s website at www.capitol.tn.gov.

NASHVILLE, TN:  State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville) was appointed to serve on two key House committees, continuing the busy start to the 106th General Assembly that began with his swearing in as a member of the state House of Representatives.

“It is an honor to be given the opportunity to serve on both committees,” Pitts said, “This appointment gives me the opportunity to have input on some of the important issues facing the people of Clarksville and Montgomery County.”

In addition to the Commerce Committee, Pitts was also named Vice Chairman of the Utilities and Banking subcommittee.  With experience as a banker, Pitts believes he will be able to share important insight on the committee and subcommittee level during his 2nd term in the Tennessee Legislature.

“In these unique times, Tennessee is being faced with some difficult challenges,” said Pitts. “It is my hope that on these committees I will have the opportunity to serve, not only my district, but all the people of Tennessee and help get us back on the right track to prosperity.”

With the appointment to the Education Committee, the two term democrat from Clarksville will also serve on the Higher Education subcommittee.  “Since my election to the General Assembly I have been unwavering in my support of our public education system,” Pitts said.  “As a member of the Higher Education subcommittee I will work with President Hall, his faculty and staff, in continuing to make Austin Peay State University the premier university for our region.”

Pitts was sworn in Tuesday, January 12, as a member of the state Austin Peay State University representing Montgomery County.

State Representative Joe Pitts

Representative named to fill post vacated after November elections

Nashville, TN—On Thursday, the office of Tennessee Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington) announced the appointment of State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville) to the Joint Committee on Workers Compensation.

“I am honored that Speaker Naifeh has given me this opportunity to serve on the Workers Compensation Committee,” Pitts said. “Serving on this committee will give me the chance to serve all the workers of Tennessee.”

The Workers’ Compensation Committee is a special joint committee of the general assembly created under TCA 50-6-130. The committee is composed of eight members of the senate appointed by the Speaker of the Senate and eight members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The committee monitors the implementation of the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act of 1992 and subsequent reforms, and studies other programs, initiatives or topics related to the workers’ compensation system. The committee also promptly reviews and comments on any bill referred to the committee on a variety of topics including accidents and workplace safety, adequacy of benefits, stability and adequacy of relevant insurance markets, and other matters the committee deems relevant.

“Representative Pitts has repeatedly shown his commitment to working for the people of Tennessee and when a vacancy on this committee appeared, Joe was my first choice,” Speaker Naifeh said.

Pitts previously served as a member of the House State and Local Government Committee, State Government Subcommittee and the Utilities, Banking and Small Business Subcommittee.

For more information, please contact Representative Pitts office at (615) 741-2043 or e-mail at rep.joe..tn.us.

Gene Lewis and John Ferguson with their awards

John Ferguson was presented with the Nathanial Carter Award for his work during the 2008 election campaign. Ferguson, who was intricately involved in the operation of headquarters and the organizing of numerous political events, said he was honored to be receiving the award and said “others were more deserving, and that many individuals who were not present at the gathering had contributed as much as he had.”

MCDP Chairman Gene Lewis was presented the Alice Byard Award, which he accepted on behalf of the party’s executive committee.

John Ferguson, standing beside Senator Tim Barnes, after receiving the Nathaniel Carter Award

Senator Tim Barnes addressed the crowd, stating that he was “looking forward to January” (2009), when he officially takes office. Barnes talked briefly about the importance of building party support from the grassroots bottom up, taking issues and campaigns to the people of the county. With the right leaders at the state level, (the people) will see a difference,” he said. He also gave kudos to the constant support of his wife, Linda, and to the “best campaign manager ever, Kim Smith.”

State Representative Joe Pitts addresses the crowd at the Smith Trahern Mansion as State Senator Elect Tim Barnes looks on

State Representative Joe Pitts voiced his pleasure in welcoming Barnes to the legislature in Nashville, and said he, and Barnes would continue their work “against the assault on the working families.” Pitts encouraged people to look beyond themselves and their own needs and work for the greater good of the community.

Gene Lewis after receiving his award

Local party members listen to the speeches