State Representative Rick Womick furnished a review of the work completed by the 2014 General Assembly.

2014 Summary of Legislative News

The Tennessee Legislature, in particular the Tennessee House, completed the last half of the 108^th General Assembly in late April with all new laws becoming effective July 1^st. Our efforts focused on education, immediate and long term economic growth, tax reduction, debt reduction, a balanced budget and a reduction of violent crime. The following are a few of the highlights:

Education

The battle to stop the takeover of local control of our public schools by the state and federal government with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) was the focal point of education legislation this year. Though we were successful in stopping PARCC testing, CCSS have been fully implemented in all Tennessee schools and grade levels. As expected, it has proven to be disastrous, with this year's failing TCAP scores as evidence of these "dumbing down" new standards. However, there were some bright spots in education legislation that did become law: teacher's licenses are no longer allowed to be revoked based on student test scores and teacher's salary schedules were put back into place based on years of service and advance education degrees. Cursive writing must be taught in the early elementary grades and American history and our historical documents must be taught in depth. Also, greater scrutiny and public involvement in the selection of textbooks is now required by law and Judeo-Christian and other religious viewpoints can no longer be discriminated against in the classroom. Finally full disclosure is required by all LEA's allowing parents to review all instructional material, surveys, and evaluations used in their child's classroom.

Local Government and Crime Legislation

Local municipalities are no longer allowed to annex property simply by ordinance. Forced annexation is now illegal in Tennessee and all future annexation requires a majority vote from the people involved. Also at the local level, the selling of wine in grocery stores will now be allowed only after a local referendum vote is held. This will allow local communities the opportunity to decide for themselves if they want wine sold in their local grocery stores. Regarding crime, multiple bills became law that will target and reduce methamphetamine manufacture and distribution, human trafficking, prostitution, domestic violence, and in home, sexual abuse. Additionally, "Amelia's Law" became part of the Tennessee Code this year, placing stricter rules and penalties on criminal offenders where drugs and/or alcohol were a contributing factor in the crime.

National

The Tennessee General Assembly (TGA) passed into law the Stop Obamacare Act, which will prevent the Governor from expanding federal Medicaid unless specifically approved by both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly. This Act will save the state over $200 million dollars per year and allow us to focus our efforts and finances on TennCare, the state health care program currently in place for those who are unable to afford health care. Also, as it pertains to the out of control spending by our federal government, the TGA passed legislation calling for an Article V Constitutional Convention. Tennessee became the 22^nd state of 34 states necessary to call for a convention to create a Balanced Budget Amendment for the U.S. Constitution.

Upcoming Amendments to the Tennessee Constitution

This November, all Tennessee voters who go to the polls will have the opportunity to vote on four proposed amendments to the Tennessee State Constitution - they are:

Amendment #1: Restores the right of the people to debate and decide what policies and procedures will govern abortions through their elected Representatives.

Amendment #2: Removing from the State constitution the right of Tennessee voters to vote for Appellate and Supreme Court justices and instead giving the Governor the responsibility to appoint (with TGA approval) those justices to the bench.

Amendment #3: Adds language to the State Constitution that will prevent any kind of a state income tax from being imposed upon the residents/citizens of Tennessee.

Amendment #4: will allow military veterans organizations to hold fundraising events that are considered gambling events.

What is in Store for 2015

Of course our focus will be on reducing taxation while funding and balancing the state's budget, ensuring the safety of our schools and communities, and the long term growth of jobs and job opportunities. However, a continued and vigorous battle to repeal CCSS and PARCC testing, and the return of local control of our schools back to local communities, will be at the forefront of the 109^th TGA in January 2015. Additionally, we will be addressing the relocation of illegal immigrants and refugees, by the federal government, within the State of Tennessee.