To view this email online, paste this link into your browser:
[link removed]





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

As we all do our best to find our footing in the new normal, I write to provide a few brief thoughts and an overview of various governmental actions, as well as the emergency budget ([link removed]) we passed on March 19, 2020.

 

As I write this, I am watching the USNS Comfort dock ([link removed]) in New York City to provide much-needed health care support for the overwhelmed city. The ship’s arrival, the field hospital constructed in Central Park ([link removed]), and the Gallatin nursing home ([link removed]) evacuation are just a few of the surreal sights that should serve to remind us yet again of the gravity of the growing crisis and what is possible if we fail to take appropriate action.

 

Like many of you, I continue to be concerned with Governor Lee’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic for multiple reasons, but most of all for his inane refusal to issue a mandatory Stay In Place (or Stay At Home) order and expand Medicaid. He continues to simply “strongly urge” Tennesseans to stay home ten days after a March 20th letter ([link removed]) signed by over 1,500 medical professionals who set forth multiple reasons for the need for immediate, mandatory action. The letter cited a Johns Hopkins’ report ([link removed]) that makes clear what is possible in our state absent responsible, necessary action by the governor. Lee’s stubbornness in the face of clear data simply continues his and legislative leadership’s frustrating refusal to accept or consider evidence-based scientific conclusions and data when making decisions.

 

I touched on the Medicaid issue in my previous newsletter, but it is such a vital health care resource that the subject demands repeating. Rightfully expecting Governor Lee to place most of the burden of uninsured coverage on the state’s primary care safety net ([link removed]), I shared my thoughts on this topic in a letter ([link removed]) with Governor Lee before he released his emergency budget to the legislature. As I expected, my letter fell on deaf ears, so I introduced an amendment to expand Medicaid during the House debate on the emergency budget. After my floor speech ([link removed]), the amendment was killed by the GOP super-majority. Since then, the governor has suggested he is taking steps ([link removed]) to submit a request that resembles Florida’s 1135 waiver ([link removed]). Regardless, an 1135 waiver will be woefully insufficient, and it remains inexcusable for him and legislative GOP leadership to continue to treat Medicaid expansion like the third rail ([link removed]) of GOP politics.

COVID-19 INFO & STATE RESOURCES

 

*If you have any questions about any of the following or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact ([link removed]) me. Please be sure and follow me on Twitter @JRClemmons, Facebook @johnrayfortn, and Instagram @jrclemmons for real time updates.

 

 

Governor Lee’s Executive Orders ([link removed]) to date.

 

Governor Lee’s daily press briefings can be viewed here ([link removed]).

 

State’s COVID-19 website with updates is here ([link removed]).

 

TN Department of Health’s Situational Summary is here ([link removed]).

 

PPE

A list ([link removed]) of county Emergency Management Agencies, by region of the State. All local jurisdictional requests for PPE, for health care entities and for response organizations should be directed to each county’s EMA.

For those wishing to donate PPE for the COVID-19 response effort, I have been asked by the State to have you email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

 

Education

Beginning April 6, Tennessee’s six PBS stations— WNPT Nashville, East Tennessee PBS, WCTE Upper Cumberland, WKNO Memphis, West TN PBS, and Chattanooga WTCI— will deliver two hours of educational programming with high-quality instructional content from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST. Four hours of content will also be streamed overnight, which viewers can watch live or record.

 

Metro Schools are offering digital resources ([link removed]) to families and staff to provide educational enrichment and learning opportunities due to the school closures.

 

Tennessee History for Kids has a home learning guide ([link removed]) that is useful as we all attempt to homeschool our children and lots of great, free content on its website ([link removed]). 

MNPS will continue offering breakfast and lunch meals to children under 18 on weekdays while school facilities are closed. Details on times and locations along with a shareable map are here ([link removed]).

 

Unemployment

The governor has suspended certain statutory provisions related to unemployment compensation: to allow for unemployment compensation benefits to be granted to any employee who left work after being directed by a medical professional or health authority to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 and who intends to return to work; to remove the one-week waiting period for unemployment compensation benefits; and, to remove the requirement that benefit recipients make reasonable efforts to secure work as a condition for receiving benefits.

 

Jobs4TN

Job seekers can go to Tennessee’s workforce development website ([link removed]) to apply for jobs across the state. Once an individual submits an application, the exchange will send it to retail stores in their local area for consideration.

 

Taxes

The due date for filing and paying Hall income tax has been extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020.

 

Franchise and excise taxpayers will have until July 15, 2020 to file returns and make any payments (including quarterly estimated payments) originally due on April 15, 2020. Interest and late filing penalties will not be applied to returns filed and payments made on or before this extended due date. The October 15, 2020, six-month extension date for the calendar year 2019 return remains unchanged. This ​notice applies to franchise and excise tax only. More info here ([link removed]).

 

Driver’s License

Commercial Drivers Licenses and Commercial Driving Permits are extended until June 30th if set to expire between March 12 - May 18. All non-CDL licenses set to expire during this time period will be extended 6 months. This does not apply to Class X licenses.

Class A, B and C holders who have a medical certificate set to expire between March 12 - May 18 have until June 30, 2020 to submit a renewed medical certificate (as long as the current certificate is good for over 90 days).

The requirement that new TN residents obtain a TN driver license within 30 days of becoming a resident has been extended to June 17, 2020.

The new photo requirement for non-Real ID licenses is currently waived. The TN Department of Safety can use your photo currently on file, and all renewals may be done online.

 

Real ID

The Real ID implementation date of Oct. 1, 2020 will now be extended to Oct. 1, 2021. 

 

Small Businesses and Non-Profits

Tennessee received its disaster loan declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration ([link removed]) last week. If your small business or non-profit organization suffered economic injury as a result of COVID-19 you can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have otherwise been met.

 

SBA Helpdesk:
1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), operating hours are currently 8:00 am – 8:00 pm EST Monday thru Sunday (7 days per week) until further notice.
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov ([link removed]). Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

 

More COVID-19 related info ([link removed]) from the TN Department of Economic and Community Development.

 

If you feel that your insurance carrier is not properly covering a claim covered by your policy, you can file a complaint ([link removed]) with the TN Department of Commerce and Insurance.

 

TANF

Emergency cash assistance is available to qualifying families affected by the COVID-19 emergency as of March 26, 2020. Apply at: [link removed] ([link removed])

 

Fuel

Supply networks for refined products – including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel – appear to be responding properly and flexibly to sudden and sharp declines for transportation fuel stemming from the coronavirus (COVID-19) and global efforts to slow its spread. For energy industry-specific pandemic resources, updates on energy developments, and additional analysis, please go to follow api.org ([link removed]).

 

Caregiver Support

At times like this, caregivers for those living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias can feel especially isolated and alone. Alzheimer's Tennessee has a Telephone Caregiver Support Group on Monday, April 6, 2020 at 2pm EDT, (1PM CDT). Dial (866) 423-8755 and enter Access Code 275547#.

 

General

Laurel Robison wrote an in-depth State of Tennessee COVID-19 Analysis ([link removed]).  It was published on March 28, 2020, and I highly recommend it.

The Center for American Progress published an insightful analysis ([link removed]) of the evidence on the effectiveness on social distancing to combat the coronavirus.  

  

EMERGENCY BUDGET

 

Late on March 19, 2020, we passed an emergency budget ([link removed]) before temporarily adjourning ([link removed]) the 111th session of the Tennessee General Assembly until June 1, 2020. The budget was described as containing “essential” expenditures only. For some odd reason, the governor and the GOP supermajority deemed Lee’s controversial voucher program ([link removed]) to be essential to the tune of $41 million. Aside from the inclusion of that sizeable line item, it was the notable exclusions of line items that made it particularly concerning. The budget failed to include funding for expanded TennCare services, sufficient investment in rural healthcare, small business tax relief, additional state infrastructure and personnel necessary to respond to a pandemic, and the mental health care trust fund for children.  Additionally, it cut teachers’ promised pay raises in half while dumping an additional $350 million into the state’s rainy day fund. 

 

METRO

 

“Safer at Home” Order ([link removed])

 

During these trying times, exercising and spending time in nature are critical in maintaining physical and mental health — as long as social distancing requirements are followed. While on Nashville's greenway trails: keep a 6 ft. distance between yourself and others (the greenways are the perfect width); on busy greenways, long leashes are not safe, so please keep your pets close; warn other trail users of your presence as you pass, on bike or foot; bring your own water and use the restroom at home before you depart; and, cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and please…stay home if you feel sick!

 

State of Metro:

On Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 10:30 a.m., the Mayor will be delivering the 57th Annual State of Metro Address. You are encouraged to watch on any of the following:

Nashville.Gov Live Stream ([link removed])

Comcast channel 3

Google Fiber channel 3

AT&T Uverse channel 99

 

NOTICE OF HEARING

 

The State has published a Notice of Public Hearing for Reostone Quarry. The hearing is scheduled to take place via Webex Conference on April 21, 2020.

The preliminary public hearing will be held between 5:30-6:30pm CT and TDEC technical staff will be available to answer questions during that time. The formal public hearing will begin at 6:30pm CT. Those that do not have access to Internet may still join the conference via telephone or may provide written comments to the department. Written comments may be submitted to: 

Mining Section at the Knoxville Environmental Field Office,

Attn: Public Notice Coordinator 

3711 Middlebrook Pike

Knoxville, Tennessee 37921

or by fax to (865) 594-6105; or by e-mail to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).  Individuals may also submit comments by visiting the TDEC website and clicking on the Public Participation page link along the top banner ([link removed] ([link removed])) and then clicking on “Water Notices and Hearings.” The Public Participation page also includes the link to the Webex instructions at the bottom left hand corner. Please note that written comments will be accepted until May 1, 2020.

 

 

STAYING IN TOUCH

 

Please be sure and contact me ([link removed]) to let me know dates and times of any meetings or events.

 

 

TENNESSEE BLUE (YELLOW) BOOK

 

The 2019-2020 special edition of the Tennessee Blue Book has a yellow cover to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification the 19th Amendment. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact ([link removed]) my legislative office. We have been processing requests as they are received and mailing them out within 1-2 business days. If you have requested one and not yet received it, it is on its way via USPS.

 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

 

For real time updates and legislative alerts, be sure and follow us on Twitter @JRClemmons, Facebook @johnrayfortn, and Instagram @jrclemmons.

 





2501 Oakland Avenue | Nashville, TN 37212 US

This email was sent to [email protected].
To ensure that you continue receiving our emails,
please add us to your address book or safe list.

manage your preferences ([link removed])
opt out ([link removed]) using TrueRemove(r).

Got this as a forward? Sign up ([link removed]) to receive our future emails.