State Issues

View the 2012 Legislative Agenda Program

Chamber Opposes Elected School Superintendents

View the 2011 Legislative Agenda Program

 Education/Workforce

• Protect the higher academic rigor and realistic scores implemented by the State Board of Education and insist on thorough updates from the First to the Top advisory Coucil.  Additionally, establis a deadline for reporting TCAP scores.

• Oppose elected School Superintendents.

• Oppose the mandatory merger of schools and school start dates.

Workplace:

• Support Right-to-Work Laws - Employment at Will.

• Oppose Employee Free Choice Act/Card Check bills.

• Oppose mandatory health care requirements for employers.

• Maintain business friendly conditions for Tennessee employers by continuing to improve the states Workers' Compensation system.

Energy & Environment:

• Support and fund workforce development partnerships & Innovation Valley, particularly in the areas of manufacturing, nuclear technologies, and engineering.

• Work for adequate federal funding for DOE Oak Ridge Operations Environmental Management Program to clean up Manhatten Project legacy sites.

• Support National Nuclear Security Administration's Complex Transformation plan designating Y-12 as the Uranium Center of Excellence.

• Oppose any changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone.

Health Care

• Oppose the new Health Care Bill.

Infrastructure

• Complete the final EIS for the Pellissippi Parkway project.

• Support completion of Alcoa Highway.

• Support the Knoxville Metropolitan Airport in their quest to secure an additional low-fare carrier.

Economic Development

• Create a Governor's Closing Fund using set aside bonding capacity that can be tapped to cover the needs of new, expanding businesses.Enhance infrastructure and trainin incentives.Establish technology-driven incentives.