This bill  passed out of House Finance Budget Subcommittee on Thursday and went to the full House Finance, Ways and Means Committee to be discussed on Monday, May 22, at 9 a.m. This bill is strongly opposed by the Chamber and the greater business community and your legislators need to hear your voice. The vote on Monday will determine whether this bill moves on to the House floor. 

This is a poorly drafted bill that is anti-government employee, anti-local government and anti-taxpayer. It essentially gives employees of fire departments the right to self-organization, requiring local governments to recognize a union as the exclusive representative of all firefighters and fire service personnel within a department and extends the right of collective bargaining to such employees.

The result would be a landmark philosophical shift in Tennessee's laws governing employee/employer relationships. More time should be spent studying and comprehending the scope of the effects of the bill on firefighters and taxpayers alike. It will change the ways in which our local governments do business, change costs of local government, and have an impact on the delivery of services and the employment culture of our communities.

The Chamber must work to ensure we maintain the business-friendly environment that gives Tennessee a competitive advantage in business recruitment and retention. The increased and real likelihood of disruption of government services would do serious damage to that advantage.  We are requesting that you contact your member of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee.   We need to continue to emphasize that this bill must be defeated. 

SB 3296 / HB 3450 

Eminent Domain

The eminent domain bill passed by the Senate 31-0 last week and is rescheduled for House consideration on May 23.  This compromise bill from the Senate is believed to have the support of most stakeholders and protects Tennessee from the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court Kelo decision without limiting the use of eminent domain for clear economic development uses.

Cover Tennessee

Cover Tennessee, Governor Bredesen's healthcare plan for the working poor, passed both houses on Wednesday, and is expected to land on the Governors desk in a matter of days. Bredesen introduced the plan in March that includes programs to help the working poor, children and people who cannot get insurance elsewhere. Its total cost comes to $300 million. This is a victory for Bredesen, as the republican controlled Senate showed some resistance and several amendments. Among those passed with the bill: An amendment limiting the plan to U.S. citizens, and an amendment offering tax incentives for small businesses who use the plan. An amendment that was designed to incorporate medical malpractice liability limits failed 16-13.