What’s New On The Hill - October 27, 2023
👓 It was an eventful weekend for Meagan in Gatlinburg with Chairman Jeremy Faison and the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians. The TAOP is gearing up for the upcoming session!
🤠 Spotted at the Boots n Jeans BBQ Fundraiser: Our client Gretchen Jackson, Legislative Chair for the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association, pictured with Senator Bill Hagerty while supporting Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson.
📷 Meagan and Estie had a great time in Gallatin, showing our support for State Senator Ferrell Haile and visiting with Leader Johnson.
🙏 Our thoughts and prayers are with Israel as we stand in unwavering support & solidarity.
Local groups to hold public rally in Downtown Nashville to stand in solidarity with Israel
We also wish to recognize in accordance with Governor Lee and the Presidential proclamation, flags at the State Capitol and all State office buildings flown at half-staff until sunset, October 30, 2023, to honor the victims of the tragic shooting in Lewiston, Maine, as we join in mourning and solidarity for the senseless acts of violence there.
This week, Governor Bill Lee hosted the 2023 Governor’s Rural Opportunity Summit, reaffirming Tennessee's commitment to rural development. The state has seen significant progress, with distressed counties reduced from 15 to eight since 2019.
Key initiatives, including the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Act and a $3.3 billion investment in the Transportation Modernization Act, have spurred economic growth and job creation in rural areas.
These efforts have attracted over $16 billion in capital investment and 33,000 job commitments, securing Tennessee's status as a leader in rural development.
🌡️ Pharmacy benefit managers, workforce shortages, & drug shortages - these are the issues Tennessee's pharmacists are dealing with.
Our client, the TN Pharmacists Association, is working to address these challenges for better patient care.
“PBMs are probably going to be a big topic,” Pudlo said. “If there’s ever a time to see meaningful change, it’s now.”
“There’s a shortage of workers and a shortage in the quality of workers,” Pudlo said.
Earlier this month, over 75,000 Keiser Permanente workers, including pharmacists, walked off the job in the largest health care strike in U.S. history. While these walk-outs aren't Tennessee or even Nashville specific, Pudlo said it's a trend local health care professions should have their eye on.
Don't forget, Tennesseans: the tax-free grocery holiday continues through tomorrow October 31st! Stock up and save on essential groceries this fall season.
LIST: What’s included in Tennessee’s 3-month grocery tax holiday
Tennessee files Meta lawsuit; Accuses company of knowingly being harmful to minors - Skrmetti is one of the leaders of a coalition of 42 states suing tech giant Meta over claims that its Instagram platform is harmful to minors. Tennessee’s case has been filed in chancery court in Nashville. Another 33 states are suing the company in federal court in California.
Medicaid Holdout States Seek Health Coverage Solutions - Republican-led states are exploring strategies to bolster healthcare coverage without full Medicaid expansion.
Tennessee's Approach to Pandemic Learning Loss - The state is taking measures like retaining third-grade students to address COVID-19-related learning gaps.
Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Training Academy - Tennessee invests $415 million in a state-of-the-art law enforcement training hub.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Tennessee Law on Gender - Affirming Care - The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals supports a Tennessee law limiting gender-affirming care for minors
Tennessee's Ranking in Helping Struggling Families and Children - A Vanderbilt report ranks the state 49th in economic security, early childhood development, and health.
Controversy Over Public Information - Tennessee faces a legal battle over releasing police records related to a tragic school shooting.
Changes Coming to Tennessee's Unemployment Benefits Program - The state implements significant changes to the unemployment benefits program.
Tennessee GOP Rejects Federal Funding Over Policy Differences - The state declines federal funding over disagreements on various issues.
Mayor Ken Moore Wins Franklin Reelection - Mayor Ken Moore secures a landslide victory in Franklin's municipal election.
Impact of Tennessee's Book - Banning Law on Teachers - Tennessee's law on banning books raises concerns among educators.
Federal Lawsuit Challenges Tennessee's Aggravated Prostitution Statute - The ACLU files a federal lawsuit challenging the state's Aggravated Prostitution statute.
Rising Homelessness in Nashville Due to High Eviction Rates - Nashville grapples with a growing homeless population linked to surging eviction cases.