White County Passes Indefinite Ban On Data Centers
An indefinite ban on data centers across White County put in place by County Commissioners to prevent potential strain on the county’s electrical and water infrastructure. White County Executive Denny Robinson said the commission decided to be proactive. “There was just too much unknown about what impact they have on the community,” Robinson said. “There’s […]
Legislators Proud Of Accomplishments As Session Ends
Tennessee lawmakers going home after the legislative session ended Tuesday and local representatives called the session successful. Ryan Williams said he is proud of the amount of money earmarked for the Upper Cumberland region for roads. Williams said the region is getting $340 million over the next ten years. Williams said expanding Interstate 40 up […]
Putnam Board Approves New, Changed Policies Following Legislative Session
The Putnam County School Board approved 33 new policies, policy changes or updates at last week’s meeting, a result of legislative mandates this year in Nashville. Director Of Schools Corby King said the school system works with the legal team at the Tennessee School Board Association to assess the system’s policies as compared to the […]
Rep. Windle Says UC Needed More Assistance In Governor’s Budget
State Representative John Mark Windle said that more could have been done to help the Upper Cumberland in the 2021 state budget. Windle said that broadband infrastructure was cut from $200 million to $100 million by Governor Lee. Windle said rural Tennessee is seeing an influx of new residents but they need the bandwidth for […]
State Senator Pody Emphasizes Importance Of Rural Infrastructure During Session
State Senator Mark Pody said the $100 million towards broadband expansion highlights legislative accomplishments. Pody said he was pleased to see fiscally conservative work done during this period. Pody said that serving a rural area put infrastructure at the forefront during the pandemic. “It’s disappointing that some of our students, that they were forced to […]
Van Buren Attorney Says Individual Court Cost Over Estimated
Van Buren County’s attorney said the General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee has over estimated the cost of giving the county its own general sessions court. Attorney Howard Upchurch told Commissioners Tuesday night that Van Buren is the only county statewide to share its general sessions judge. Van Buren and White County currently split one judge. […]
Representative Windle Reacts To Parton Declining Statue
Representative John Mark Windle said he respects Dolly Parton’s decision to turn down a statue of her on capitol grounds. Windle said support for a Parton statue was unanimous in the state house and senate. He said Parton’s support of underprivileged Tennesseans, education and overall compassion led legislators to try and honor her. “She provided […]
Rural Infrastructure Funding In Governor’s Budget Proposal
Governor Bill Lee is proposing $21 million to prepare rural counties for businesses relocating to Tennessee. State Senator Paul Bailey said he anticipates local agencies being able to tap into the funding to create the needed infrastructure. “To get site-ready, pad-ready sites to do some recruiting of industry to come in,” Bailey said. “So, the […]
Tennessee Voting On Medicaid Waiver For TennCare
Tennessee Legislators will be getting to work this week on a first in the nation Medicaid Block Grant Waiver for TennCare. Senator Paul Bailey sponsored the original $8.6 billion Medicaid Block Grant Waiver in 2019. Bailey said the federal government accepted this waiver because of Tennessee’s track record of consistently saving money for Medicaid, by […]
Sexton Supports Next Week’s Special Session
House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he believes the state needs a special legislative session to cover several issues facing Tennessee. The session will begin next Monday. Governor Bill Lee said the special session will address extending COVID-19 liability protections in order to provide legal clarity and certainty for health care providers, businesses, schools, non-profits and […]
