In the last edition of ‘The Latest’ I had promised to go over some of the high points of the TN Workers’ Compensation Reform Act of 2013. The reason for reform is multi-faceted.

The last week of session went by in a long, protracted blur – bills, amendments added, amendments that strip all previous amendments, fiery debates and speeches. Endurance was the name of the game.

Good news from the Secretary of State Tre Hargett (who is also a Forty-fiver in case you didn’t know)! The City of White House application for a library construction grant in an amount not to exceed $100,000 has been approved!

On the floor… HB 0153 (SB 0159), which I had the privilege of carrying with Leader McCormick passed off the floor! This bill is beneficial all around for economic, environmental, and individual concerns by streamlining the hearing process for contested environmental cases resulting from the issuance or denial of a permit or from a violation from the TDEC.

Government Spending. A victory (pending the Senate)! My first bill moved through the house! It was in regards to ‘The Copeland Cap.’ The cap is a spending limitation for TN government; the index used is personal income.

Good news from the House Floor! House Bill 534 passed with flying colors! This bill prohibits a state higher education institution that grants recognition to any student organization from discriminating against student organizations on the basis of: