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

My family and I wish you a happy Independence Day. Please be safe and enjoy your upcoming holiday.

 

New Laws

New laws go into effect on July 1st.  This document contains a complete list of all new laws.

 

Unemployment

Gov. Bill Lee unilaterally decided ([link removed]) to end all federal unemployment assistance programs in our state on July 3rd. As a direct result, Tennessee workers who continue to struggle will lose the $300 supplement and extended federal payments, as well as the opportunity to participate in federal programs that have allowed those who don't usually qualify for benefits, such as the self-employed, to receive them.

 

Lee attempted to defend his callous indifference to the serious challenges still facing many families, specifically those in rural Tennessee, by tweeting on May 12th ([link removed]), “Work is good for the soul, good for families and good for Tennessee. We shouldn't be incentivizing people not to do it.”  In so doing, he insulted Tennessee’s workers by implying that they are lazy and simply choosing not to work.  To paraphrase the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Lee is “entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.”  The data ([link removed]) simply doesn’t support Lee’s justification for his decision or what he seemed to be implying.  67 of 95 Tennessee counties recorded unemployment rates below 5.0% in May, with two counties enjoying unemployment rates as low as 2.7%.  The statewide average prior to the pandemic in January 2020 was 3.3%.

 

Additionally, the state unemployment trust fund balance as of May 2021 was $1,159,263,853. The pre-pandemic balance, as of January 2020, was $1,273,044,800.  I note this because the governor and supermajority argued that the fiscal integrity of the trust fund was in jeopardy when they passed legislation ([link removed]) cutting state unemployment benefits by more than half.

 

Should anyone have any doubts about Tennesseans’ continued need for these vital benefits, I would invite you to have a conversation with the Tennesseans who continue to reach out to me for assistance.

 

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services Grants

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has provided the following links regarding potential funding and grant opportunities. 

 

This link ([link removed]) is the TDMHSAS website where departmental funding opportunities are posted as they are announced. 

 

This link ([link removed]) lists potential sources for grant opportunities from the federal government, private entities, and other organizations. 

 

The information on these links is updated regularly, so please check back often.

 

Vaccination

Only 35% of Tennesseans ([link removed]) have been fully vaccinated, with 13 counties having less than ([link removed]) 24.74% vaccinated ([link removed]). Know the facts ([link removed]) and please get vaccinated ([link removed]). 

 

Capitol Tours

Our State Capitol ([link removed]) is now open to visitors for guided and self-guided tours. More information is available here ([link removed]). If you would like for me to personally lead your tour, I am happy to do so as my schedule allows. Please email my office (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Request%20for%20Capitol%20Tour%20with%20Rep.%20Clemmons) with any such requests.

 

Campaign 2022

Stay tuned for upcoming information about our 2022 campaign events and fundraisers. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you around District 55!

 

 

 

Facebook @johnrayfortn | Twitter @jrclemmons | Instagram @jrclemmons

www.johnrayfortennessee.com

 

DONATE ([link removed])





2501 Oakland Avenue | Nashville, TN 37212 US

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