Tennessee Department of Education Releases Guide to Help Support Students with Characteristics of Dyslexia
June 10, 2017
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Education has released the Dyslexia Resource Guide, which offers assistance to schools for identifying and supporting for students showing characteristics of dyslexia.
This guide provides districts with information related to screening procedures for dyslexia, specific interventions, professional learning resources, and reporting requirements.
Tennessee Department of Education releases Dyslexia Resource Guide.
Tennessee Democrats propose ’10 for TN’ to reduce Gun Violence
July 9, 2016
Nashville, TN – Democrats in the Tennessee General Assembly released today a list of 10 proposals to combat gun violence in Tennessee in an email blast to supporters around the state.
“Inaction is no longer an option,” state Representative G.A. Hardaway said. “Moments of silence may demonstrate respect of lives lost, but we can truly honor the deaths of our loved ones, when we follow-up by enacting common sense laws to prevent more tragic killings of innocents.”
‘Inaction no longer an option’; time for gun proponents to step up
Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) Imposes Fine For Violations of Do Not Call Law
April 20, 2016
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and nine other states filed a complaint against Caribbean Cruise Line, Inc. for violating the Tennessee and federal Do Not Call Telemarketing laws and has issued a fine in the amount of $500,000.
Both telemarketing laws were established to prohibit unwanted telephone solicitation calls to consumers.
Tennessee Do Not Call Program
Tennessee Speaker Beth Harwell works to raise awareness about Hot Car Deaths
June 23, 2015
Nashville, TN – Tennessee’s Speaker of the House Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) is working this summer to raise awareness about how to prevent the deaths of children trapped in hot cars. A recent report concluded Tennessee is in the top 10 states for death of children due to hot vehicles, claiming 23 deaths from 1998-2014.
“As summer temperatures are soaring into the 90s, it is critically important that we raise awareness about this issue. Across the country, as of the middle of June, there have been five child vehicular heat stroke deaths this year,” said Speaker Harwell. “We need to get the message to all Tennesseans that it’s dangerous to leave your child unattended in your vehicle, even for a minute.”
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXFTV22X5ec[/youtube] [Read more]
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announces results of Week Long Human Trafficking Operation
May 31, 2015
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced results of a week-long operation to better understand and combat human trafficking in Tennessee.
With the partnership of the Brentwood Police Department, the Clarksville Police Department, and End Slavery Tennessee, TBI Agents embarked on an undercover operation to identify potential victims of trafficking, arrest those seeking to purchase illicit sex, and learn more about the specific nuances of this type of crime.
It is Human Trafficking and Tennessee Won’t Stand for It
Tennessee Driver License reform Bill moves forward in committee
March 28, 2015
Written by Tennessee State Representative Curtis Johnson
Speaker Pro Tempore
Nashville, TN – Legislation designed to save money and cut down on the time spent renewing driver licenses moved forward this week in the House of Representatives.
As many Tennesseans note, despite technologies that allow licenses to be renewed online or in mobile kiosks, driver license centers across the state are often overcrowded.
House Bill 198 seeks to help solve this problem by moving the driver license renewal period from five to eight years. As the law stands now, Tennessee has among the shortest periods of time that a license is valid when compared to other states. Most states already have either a seven or an eight year license.
Tennessee State Representative Curtis Johnson
Tennessee Driver License reform Bill moves forward in committee
March 27, 2015
Written by Tennessee State Representative Curtis Johnson
Speaker Pro Tempore
Nashville, TN – Legislation designed to save money and cut down on the time spent renewing driver licenses moved forward this week in the House of Representatives.
As many Tennesseans note, despite technologies that allow licenses to be renewed online or in mobile kiosks, driver license centers across the state are often overcrowded.
House Bill 198 seeks to help solve this problem by moving the driver license renewal period from five to eight years. As the law stands now, Tennessee has among the shortest periods of time that a license is valid when compared to other states. Most states already have either a seven or an eight year license.
Tennessee State Representative Curtis Johnson
Tenenssee State Fire Marshal’s Office Marina and Dock Inspections Bring Greater Safety To Tennesseans
March 10, 2015
Nashville, TN – Swimmers and boaters can be assured of increased safety at Tennessee’s public marinas and docks thanks to new regulations that took effect January 1st.
Approved last year by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed into law May 16th, 2014 by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, Senate Bill No. 1954/House Bill No. 1892 – known as the Noah Dean and Nate Act – makes it mandatory that State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) inspectors examine the electrical wiring and equipment of all Tennessee public marinas and docks. [Read more]
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam announces Academic Standards Review Website
November 6, 2014
Encourages public input on state standards
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today unveiled a website, https://apps.tn.gov/tcas/ , where Tennesseans can review and comment on the state’s current K-12 academic standards.
Academic standards set grade-specific goals that define what students are expected to know and be able to do by the end of a given grade or course.
There are more than 1,100 for English language arts (ELA) and more than 900 for mathematics in Tennessee.
“There has been considerable concern about Common Core State Standards, currently in place state-wide,” said Tennessee State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville). “The standards do offer some advantages for students and our public education system, but the quick roll-out did not, among other issues, allow time for educators, students and parents to understand how they work.” [Read more]
Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s “Keep My Tennessee Home” program to end August 31st
July 19, 2014
Tennessee State Representative Joe Pitts
Nashville, TN – Since January 11th, Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) has helped more than 7,000 families avoid foreclosure through our Keep My Tennessee Home program, funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund.
We are proud that our program has enabled Tennessee to be among the most aggressive states in putting these funds to work on behalf of eligible households. I want to let you know that the funds awarded to Tennessee have been almost fully committed.
We are closing the program August 31st but for cases eligible under a separate, related fund provided by the National Mortgage Settlement.
Tennessee State Representative Joe Pitts
