Governor Bill Haslam

Haslam Signs Measure to Let Tennessee Cities Form School Systems

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:37:49 +0000

Gov. Bill Haslam has signed legislation that clears the way for cities to begin forming municipal school systems.

The measure passed the House 70-24 and the Senate 24-5. It lifts a 1998 ban that forbids municipalities from starting their own school systems, and benefits six Memphis suburbs seeking to bypass a merger of the Shelby County and Memphis school districts and run their own schools.

Both Chambers Adopt Haslam's Budget Plan

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:18:23 +0000

Both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly adopted Governor Bill Haslam's $32.8 billion budget proposal.

The Senate unanimously approved the spending plan Wednesday afternoon, and the House followed suit. The House vote came after the chamber rejected a Democratic proposal to include a provision allowing the state to spend up to $3 billion in federal Medicaid money if the governor succeeds in negotiating an expansion under the federal health care law.

TN Gov. Bill Haslam Says He Was As Surprised As Anyone That FBI And Internal Revenue Service Agents

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:21:42 +0000

Governor Bill Haslam says he was as surprised as anyone that FBI and Internal Revenue Service agents locked down the headquarters of his family’s company Monday.

“They came in looking for certain records, and that’s all I know,” Haslam told reporters at the state capitol.

The governor remains a primary shareholder in Pilot Flying J, which produces $20 billion in annual revenue. He stepped down as president of the company in 1998 to pursue another business venture and eventually enter politics.

Haslam Wants Deal on Tennessee Medicaid Expansion

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:00:09 +0000

Tennessee isn’t saying “yes” to expanding the state’s Medicaid program known as TennCare. But it’s not saying “no” either. Gov. Bill Haslam made the announcement this morning to a joint assembly of the legislature, telling lawmakers he’s been working toward a “third option.”

“To leverage the federal dollars available to our state to transform health care in Tennessee without expanding our TennCare rolls,” he said.

Haslam Likely to Sign 'Guns in Trunks' Bill

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:13:19 +0000

A spokesman says Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam is "likely" to sign into law a bill to allow the state's nearly 400,000 handgun carry permit holders to store firearms in their cars no matter where they are parked. The House on passed the bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Jeremy Faison on a 72 - 22 vote Thursday.

Before the vote, Speaker Beth Harwell assured Republican colleagues that the measure is endorsed by the National Rifle Association and that members of the business community are "holding their noses" about its passage despite concerns about security and property rights.

Governor Haslam’s Voucher Program Passes First Test with Bipartisan Support

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:19:20 +0000

State lawmakers raised several reservations but ultimately passed Gov. Bill Haslam’s school voucher program in its first test.

Two members of the House Education Subcommittee voted no, including one Republican. The former school superintendent says he doesn’t believe public money should be diverted to private schools. Democrat Joe Pitts of Clarksville voted no after asking if private schools would be forced to still provide a free lunch. Only poor students could qualify for vouchers under the plan.

“I’m just really concerned that we’re targeting that at-risk population, but we’re really not doing anything else to supply that basic human need, which is food,” Pitts said.

TN Governor Unsure About Medicaid Expansion

Blake Farmer (Nashville Public Radio) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:09:51 +0000

Lawmakers in Tennessee are watching Florida closely after the state’s conservative Republican governor went along with a major piece of the Affordable Care Act. Governor Bill Haslam is still on the fence about expanding the state’s Medicaid program – known as TennCare.

Bill Tightening Tennessee Online School Enrollment Advances

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:27:00 +0000

Legislation to tighten enrollment requirements at online-only schools is advancing in the Tennessee House. Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration bill passed the House Education Committee on a voice vote Tuesday and is being scheduled for the House floor.

The proposal would allow beginning online schools to start with an enrollment of 1,500 and continue to expand as long as they meet performance requirements. The measure originally sought to cap online school enrollment at 5,000.

Voucher Plan Gearing Up in Tennessee Legislature

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:10:00 +0000

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to create a school voucher program is drawing mixed response from lawmakers and educators.

Proponents say it’s another option for parents seeking to provide a better education for their children. Those opposed say voucher programs are unproven, and they don't like the idea of taking funds from public schools and giving them to private institutions.

Tennessee Opens Four Overseas Offices to Focus on Exports

Whitney Jones — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:50:56 +0000

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and the Department of Economic and Community Development announced Monday that the state is opening four international offices that will focus on increasing exports from the state. The new development offices will be in Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany and China.

ECD Commissioner Bill Hagerty says this step is imperative if Tennessee wants to access untapped markets. The overseas offices will help small and medium sized businesses navigate the exporting process by providing market analysis, sales and marketing planning, identification of distribution partners and company matchmaking free of charge.