The Tennessee General Assembly House of Representatives Representative Bob Ramsey, DDS A weekly wrap-up of legislative news April 9 - 12, 2012 Taxes Cut On the Way for Tennesseans House of Representatives Passes Repeal of Death Tax and Cuts the Food Tax for All Tennesseans with Landmark Bills The pocketbooks of all Tennesseans are getting help from the Legislature with the passage of two major tax cuts. The House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly approved the repeal of the death tax and the reduction of the food tax on two separate votes. Both bills have long been a major priority for many Members of the Majority Caucus who believe the bills will help taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money and place Tennessee on better economic footing. “This is a landmark moment for Tennesseans,” stated House Speaker Beth Harwell (R—Nashville). “We believe, when government revenues are higher, that money doesn’t belong to the State but to taxpayers and should be returned to them immediately. Our Majority was placed here to balance the budget, cut wasteful spending, and lower taxes. Today we carried through on that promise.” Representative Charles Sargent (R—Franklin), who guided the death tax repeal to full House passage, remarked, “Today is an exciting day. We looked at the numbers, rolled our sleeves up, and worked with Governor Haslam to come up with two bills that will really benefit all Tennesseans. The repeal of the death tax is especially noteworthy because it will help convince the job creators in our State to remain here and help grow our economy. This doesn’t benefit one group; it benefits any Tennessean who is concerned about job growth.” House Bill 3760, the death tax repeal, phases out the death tax over the next four years, to a complete repeal by 2016. House Bill 3761, the food tax cut, lowers the sales tax rate on food from the current 5.5% to 5.25%, the steepest reduction in many years. The food tax cut was the responsibility of Representative David Alexander (R—Winchester). Following the final vote on the bill Alexander stated, “This wasn’t a partisan move, it was a move to help every Tennessean. The Governor asked to work with us on lowering the food tax and this is the product of that hard work. It’s something we all can be proud of.” House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick (R—Chattanooga) added, “It has long been a principle that our Members believe limited government is best. You do that by cutting taxes and ensuring Tennesseans keep more of the money they earn. In turn they will invest that money, the economy will grow, and new career opportunities will emerge.” “These tax cuts are proof of our motto: It matters who governs,” concluded Representative Debra Maggart (R—Hendersonville) who serves as the Majority Caucus Chairwoman. “A recent study shows a repeal of the death tax ten years ago would have grown our economy an additional 14%. While the previous generation of leadership failed to take action, this generation of leadership is committed to charting a new path that creates jobs and limits government.” The bills are now sent to the Senate for action which is expected to come in the next week. To see the summary of the death tax repeal, click here. To see the summary of the food tax cut, click here. Legislators Pass Bill that Makes Government Smaller, Increases Efficiency On Thursday, the House passed major legislation that will reform how the more than 200 boards and commissions operate within State government. HB 2387, carried by Majority Leader McCormick, is the Legislature’s response to Governor Bill Haslam’s review of state boards and commissions. The review determined what duplications and inefficiencies exist within the board and commission structure and sought to determine ways to increase accountability. This bill is consistent with the findings of the review. It includes structural changes to 22 boards and commissions with a focus on performance, accountability, and effectiveness. The legislation merges six boards into three for increased efficiency, eliminates 138 board positions for increased effectiveness, gives a Cabinet level commissioner oversight over five boards for increased accountability, and gives the Governor hiring authority for four executive directors for increased accountability. According to one Representative who supported the bill, “We are literally downsizing government while, at the same time, increasing efficiency and effectiveness on behalf of taxpayers. That is a win for Tennessee and yet another promise kept by this Majority.” The legislation passed the House by a vote of 66-26 and now moves onto the Senate for action in that Chamber. The summary of the bill may be accessed by clicking here. House Majority Passes TEAM Act In a major reform move, the House on Wednesday approved plans to completely overhaul guidelines for Tennessee government’s hiring processes and agency rules. The legislation, House Bill 2384 known as the TEAM Act, establishes a system that will attract, select, retain, and promote the best applicants and employees based on performance and equal opportunities. The bill ensures these practices are free from coercive political influences and mandates employees to render impartial service to the public at all times. Additionally, the bill would give agencies greater flexibility in personnel management and increase customer-focused effectiveness and efficiency of state government within a best practice environment. The bill passed on a 74-19 bipartisan vote after a thorough debate regarding the merits of the legislation. Supported by Governor Bill Haslam, the bill also allows merit raises for high-performing workers and greater flexibility for poor performance. Representative Bill Dunn (R—Knoxville) stated, “This bill is a much-needed update to our outdated employment system. Tennesseans will see an increased range of service and efficiency from State workers because, now, we will be able to identify and promote the best workers. Lawmakers Expand Tennessee’s Fight against Bath Salts Representative Ryan Williams (R—Cookeville) is continuing the Majority’s fight against bath salts. House Bill 2645, authored by Rep. Williams, adds over twenty additional synthetic derivatives or analogues of meth to the current Tennessee Code. The bill overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in bipartisan fashion, 95-0. The legislation continues Williams’ fight to crack down on meth production that is derived from the use of ingredients found in bath salts or Molly’s Plant Food. A wave of illicit drug production and illegal use has swept through parts of Tennessee, especially Putnam County, where many residents have been rushed to the hospital from the adverse effects of the drug. Various news outlets have even reported on deaths directly linked to the rise in drug use associated with bath salts and Molly’s Plant Food. Following the vote, Williams stated, “I’m proud my colleagues stand with me against this growing threat to our communities.” He continued, “Families across Tennessee are being torn apart because of drug abuse. Tonight’s legislation helps us keep pace with the drug creators and dealers, but we must continue updating our laws and supporting our law enforcement personnel so we can get ahead of these drugs.” Williams has been a consistent fighter against bath salt drugs. Last year, he passed House Bill 457 to combat the drug. HB 2645 continues that battle. The summary of the legislation can be accessed here. House Passes Bill to Combat Drunk Driving The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed tough new legislation to combat drunk driving in Tennessee. The legislation, House Bill 2749, is also known as the “ignition interlock” bill. Under the bill, an ignition interlock, which is a machine similar to a breathalyzer, may be installed at the order of a judge inside a vehicle. Before the vehicle's engine can be started, the driver first must exhale into the device. If the breath-alcohol concentration analyzed by the machine is greater than the allowable State limit the device will prevent the engine from being started. Representative Julia Hurley (R—Lenoir City) has been vigilant about helping law enforcement personnel combat drunk driving in Tennessee. “This is a solid bill that I believe will save lives in Tennessee,” she said shortly after the legislation passed the House. “Drunk drivers have hurt too many families and this bill sends a clear message: If a person violates the drunk driving law and they want to use their vehicle, that individual will must always be sober.” The legislation is a major priority for Representative Tony Shipley (R—Kingsport). To view the summary of the bill, click here. Tennessee Local Development Authority Gets Its First Female Member House Speaker Beth Harwell has appointed Brentwood City Commissioner Elizabeth Crossley to the Tennessee Local Development Authority (TLDA). Ms. Crossley is the first woman to serve on the board. Ms. Crossley, a former mayor of Brentwood, has a long history of involvement in civic affairs. She also serves on the state's Waste Water Financing Board. “Ms. Crossley is a great addition to the TLDA board,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett, the board’s presiding member. “We are happy to have her as part of our team.” TLDA provides loan funds to local governments to pay for water and sewer projects, pollution control facilities and certain other types of capital improvements. IN BRIEF House Begins Moving FY2012-13 Budget Next Week—After hearing from many experts, economists, and members of the Haslam Administration, Representative Charles Sargent, the Chairman of the House Finance Committee, indicated his Committee would take up all the proposed budget amendments next week and will start moving Tennessee’s funding blueprint. The legislation is expected to move over the next two weeks.