TeamJRC legislation moving forward this week


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Paid for by Friends of John Ray Clemmons, Sydney U. Rogers, Treasurer

HAPPY PRESIDENTS' DAY!

I hope this email finds you enjoying valuable time with your family on this federal holiday. As many enjoy this day off from work to celebrate our presidents, it is hard not to think about how beneficial it would be to have a similar day off to elect our presidents. Rather than seeing progress towards inreasing voter turnout in Tennessee, which ranks at the bottom nationally, we continue to see more hurdles being constructed and the Voting Rights Act being challenged. Fortunately, there are several organizations like the League of Women Voters and others, for which I am thankful, that are working every day to restore and protect Tennesseans' voting rights.

We must collectively resolve not to let anything stand between us and the voting booth next November. Too much is on the line, including nothing less than the soul of our country and democracy itself.

Monroe Joyce, a fourth-grader at The Covenant School, joined John Ray on the House floor last week as a Page.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS' FAMILIES FIRST AGENDA

The House Democratic Caucus, which I have the privilege of leading, unveiled its "Families First" agenda ([link removed]) on January 30th during a press conference ([link removed]). Our 2024 legislative agenda is squarely focused on improving the quality of life for all Tennessee families by addressing the challenges working families face every day and protecting and restoring our freedoms.

The heart of our Democratic agenda reflects our strong belief that Tennessee families should be free to: live in a safe neighborhood; attend safe and high-quality public schools; breathe clean air, drink clean water and farm clean soil; access quality, affordable health care; make their own health care decisions; earn a living wage and retire with dignity; benefit from modern infrastrucuture systems; and, rely on fiscally responsible elected officials. My fellow Democrats and I have introduced a series of bills on all of these topics and more.

We rolled out this agenda, because we felt it was important for Tennesseans to know what our priorities are and what Democratic leadership would look like if we were in charge. As you can see, our agenda stands in stark contrast to the culture war being waged and prioritized by Republicans, as well as their ongoing attempts to steer your hard-earned tax dollars into the pockets of a select few.

Long-time friends and mentors, Jim Harding and Rep. Stratton Bone, visited with John Ray in Wilson County.

TEAMJRC LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 

I am presenting my first round of bills to subcommittees this week.

The following bills are scheduled to be heard in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday at noon:

HB1845 ([link removed]) (Sen. Heidi Campbell) - would create a Tennessee violence intervention program within the department of finance and administration's office of criminal justice programs. The program would invest in effective, evidence-based violence reduction initiatives focused on the highest-risk individuals in communities disproportionately impacted by community violence.

HB2023 ([link removed]) (Sen. Charlane Oliver) - would require a law enforcement agency issuing an arrest or search warrant to include its phone number and contact information on the arrest or search warrant.

The following bills are scheduled to be heard in the House Public Service Subcommittee on Tuesday at 4:30pm:

HB2847 ([link removed]) (Sen. Heidi Campbell) - would prohibit a commissioner of a state department from being employed by or having a financial interest in any public or private entity that is regulated in any way by their state department during their tenure as commissioner. 

HB1950 ([link removed]) (Sen. Mark Pody) - would designate June 6th as "D-Day Remembrance Day," an annual day of special observance in the state of Tennessee. 

The following bills are scheduled to be heard in the House Transportation Subcommittee on Wednesday at 1:30pm:

HB1612 ([link removed]) (Sen. Heidi Campbell) - would require approval from a local government before any toll lane project can be constructed on a state roadway within the jurisdiction of that local government and would prohibit the use of "transportation modernization funds" from being used to construct a toll lane.

HB2175 ([link removed]) (Sen. Sara Kyle) - would create the "Student Pedestrian Protection Grant Fund" within TDOT for the express purpose of providing grants to local governments solely for designing, constructing, and repairing or replacing sidewalk infrastructure around public schools. 

MNPS School Board Member Cheryl Mayes and MNPS parent Tamela Ensrud visited John Ray to discuss education.

NO MORE COLD BEER?

In a surprising move that would have a significant impact on small business owners statewide, a pair of Republicans have introduced legislation to prohibit the sell of cold beer ([link removed]) in retail establishments. Since this legislation started moving through the Senate, there has been a lot of pushback from business owners and citizens across the state, so I am not sure this bill will pass as drafted. 

Former Property Assessor JoAnn North welcomed John Ray to the Madison Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast.

ELECTION YEAR ACTIVITY

Last Thursday I picked up my petition to qualify for reelection this year in the August primary and hopefully the November general election. It is an honor to represent the residents of District 55 and serve the people of Tennessee, and it is a privilege I do not take for granted. While my district may have changed significantly in the past year, my desire to serve my fellow Tennesseans remains steadfast. My motivation to get up and go to work for Tennessee families grows every day.  

SAVE THE DATE

John Ray will be hosting a public town hall in District 55 on March 7th. Stay tuned for details.

STAY IN TOUCH

Call ([link removed]) | Email (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Staying%20in%20Touch)

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2501 Oakland Avenue | Nashville, TN 37212 US

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