Keeping Taxes Low
- Sponsored Constitutional ban on state income tax
- Firmly and unshakably against a state income tax
- Voted to stop Governor's bunker three times
- Fought & voted against breaking the Copeland Cap
- Opposed stream-lined sales tax
- Reduced sales tax on food
- Created sales tax holiday
- Defeated FONCE changes
- Amended law to ensure a gas tax holiday
- Restored state shared taxes to local government
- Restored 10 million dollars to TDOT
Healthcare Initiatives
- Sponsored “Healthcare Freedom Act”
- Created long term care pilot program in Sumner County
- Reformed TennCare
- Created TennCare Inspector General
- Long term care for seniors
- Allow small businesses to buy health insurance
- through association pools
- Reestablished high risk pool
- Annual report on nursing home regulations compliance
- Health savings accounts
- Hospitals must report infections
Government / Business Regulations
- Improved workers comp laws
- Regulatory flexibility act
- Cable Choice Bill
- Medical Malpractice reform
- Open Government Act
- Eminent domain reform
- State must notify license holders when law changes
- Occupational License renewal every two years
- Small businesses may form groups to secure a better rate on health insurance
- Metal theft bill to reduce costly theft
- Improved lien law
- Improved retainage law
- Commuter rail tort reform
New Crime Laws
- Tougher identity theft laws
- Jessica's Law - Tougher sex offender laws
- Tougher Meth laws
- Lowered blood alcohol level to .08
- Require ignition interlock device
- Sex offenders may not live within 1000 feet of a school, daycare, or victim
Fighting Illegal Immigration in our state
- Sponsored photo ID to vote
- Sponsored proof of citizenship to register to vote
- Penalty for state contractors that employ or subcontract with illegal immigrants
- Take drivers licenses away from illegals
- Took driving certificates away from illegals
- Established 287 G Program for State Troopers
- Banned use of ITIN numbers
- Making employers use Basic Pilot Program to identify illegal workers
- Created the offense of Trafficking of illegal aliens
Improvements to Education
- Expanded charter schools
- Helped TN win “Race to the Top” funding
- Courts must notify Principals of more crimes of youthful offenders - Gun - Sex - Drug
- Reformulated BEP
- Renewed charter schools
- Passed virtual school legislation
- Directed lottery funds to local schools
- Capitol projects for higher education
- Financial Literacy for Tennessee high schools
Family Values
- Constitutional Amendment defining Marriage
- Elderly property tax freeze Amendment
- Sponsor of SJR 127
- Prohibit state tax dollars for abortions
- Redirect money from Planned Parenthood
- Elderly Tax Relief
- Recognition of God and religious freedom resolution
- Passed Bible curriculum
- Improved child abuse laws
More Secure Elections
- Passed paper trail bill
- Sponsored photo ID to vote
- Scanned signatures present at polls
- Check with other states for duplicate voters
- Restricting Social Security Numbers on voter registration card
- Sunset Judicial Selection Commission
- Requires the purging of dead voters every 30 days
2nd amendment rights
- Castle doctrine for home, car and business
- Created Reciprocity with other states
- Local governments may open ranges to the public
- Defeated ammunition serial number bill
Comprehensive Ethics Reform
- Conflict of interest reports for state and local elected officials
- Registry of Election Finance on-line
- Established state Ethics Commission
- Limit on cash contributions
- On-line campaign finance reports
- On-line disclosures
- Ethics rules for local governments
- Audit process for legislator and lobbyist disclosures
- Posting of committee and subcommittee votes on line
- Travel and per diem for Governor, cabinet members, Constitutional officers & Legislators posted on-line
- Increased filing of campaign disclosures
- Candidates must disclose employer and occupation of contributors
- No campaign contributions from lobbyists
- Honorarium prohibition
Improving State Roads
- Move over law to protect our troopers
- Resolution asking Congress to refrain from imposing earmarks, mandates and binding regulations
- Restored 10 million dollars to TDOT
- Amended law to ensure a gas tax holiday
- Vietnam Veterans Hwy 386 Completion
- Named Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge
- Named Lance Corp. Tyler Overstreet Bridge
- Named Bethel Brown Highway