Representative Ryan Haynes Presents Legislative Briefing
Tennessee Rep. Ryan Haynes spoke to Chamber members about the state’s current education system, proposed TennCare cuts, and legislation that would allow wine sales in grocery stores during February’s legislative briefing sponsored by AT&T and First Tennessee. The legislative briefing series is designed to help Chamber members stay updated on the ongoing Tennessee legislative session.
Rep. Haynes and fellow legislators recently passed the Tennessee First to the Top Act of 2010, which will help improve education. Included in the law are initiatives to help low-performing schools become eligible for assistance from outside organizations and the state Department of Education and requirements that student achievement data be reflected in teacher evaluations.
“This bill is massive education reform,” said Haynes, a House Education Committee member. “While it won’t completely overhaul our system nor completely insure that we pump out more graduates, I think it is a tremendous step in the right direction.”
Tennessee currently ranks 41st in education attainment but Haynes noted that the state is the only one with a wealth of longitudinal data – it has been collecting this data for decades. The new law will now allow that data to be used when evaluating teachers, which will help school systems make data-supported, tenure-based decisions. As a result, the best teachers will be more easily recognized, and that will contribute to higher student achievement.
The Tennessee First to the Top Act also helps make Tennessee more competitive for the federal Race to the Top grants. Race to the Top will be providing $4.35 billion in competitive grants designed to encourage and reward states that are pursuing education innovation.
Rep. Haynes encouraged each area businessperson to take measures to ensure the continuation of an appointed school superintendent. For several years the Chamber has been urging the General Assembly to maintain appointed superintendents. Current law ensures these professionals are focused solely on improving schools and not distracted by periodic elections. Rep. Haynes offered a stern warning to the business community saying that 75 percent of people he's hearing from support elected superintendents.
"The overwhelming majority of emails come in support of an elected superintendent," said Haynes. "You need to be contacting your elected official and sending an email, making a personal call. If you don't, I think there is a very good shot that it could come to fruition. If you're passionate about that issue, please, please contact your legislator."
Haynes also addressed Governor Phil Bredesen’s proposed TennCare cuts saying the removal of $200 million from the program would hurt area hospitals. Haynes said, “It is very dangerous and very scary that we’re looking at shutting down our trauma centers and our ERs and possibly even our hospitals because area hospitals would not be able to sustain the cuts.”
Haynes also gave an update on legislation being considered that would allow wine sales in grocery stores, but stressed that any such legislation would not pass this session. He feels allowing supermarket chains to sell wine would hinder local liquor store revenues.
“I don’t think it would be very fair to allow Wal-Mart to come in and put wine up in their grocery stores,” said Haynes. “What we need to do when we do implement a bill such as this is delay its implementation so that liquor store owners have an opportunity to update business models or to get out of leases if necessary.”
The Chamber’s legislative briefings are key opportunities to hear from legislative leaders and to share the concerns of the business community. The next briefing is scheduled for March 19 and will feature Speaker Pro Tempore Jamie Woodson. To register for this event call (865) 246-2622 or visit www.knoxvillechamber.com.