2007 Report Archive return to home page
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Filing Deadline ApproachesThe filing deadline for the introduction of bills was yesterday, Thursday, February 15th at the close of business for the Tennessee House. Over 2000 bills were filed in the House of Representatives and the Senate at this time has as many bills filed. The last day to file a bill in the Senate is next Thursday, February 22nd at the close of business. We will be going through each individual bill that has been filed, so please be patient with us as we get information to you. A big battle is brewing between the telecommunications companies and cities and counties and the cable industry over a statewide franchise bill. The bill that would allow AT&T and other telecommunications companies to get into the “video services” business was introduced by a bipartisan group of legislators on Wednesday as they say it would provide increased competition to the cable industry, give customers choices as well as control prices. The Tennessee Municipal League and the Tennessee Cable Telecommunications Association are strongly opposed to the bill. The Governor is still making a strong push and argument for this 40 cent cigarette tax increase to fund education initiatives. He spoke at several functions this week and touted his plan. There are some members of the General Assembly that would like to see some drop in the state sales tax, especially off food as an alternative to the Governor’s plan. There will be much discussion on these issues as the legislature continues into the spring. Many of the standing committees in both houses do not have much going on this week. Presentations are being given in many of the time frames on things such as alternative fuels, lottery scholarships, and rural veterinary services. State Sen. Jerry Cooper is at home recovering after a serious car accident last week, as we told you last week in our report.
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P. O. Box 58083
Nashville, TN 37205
(615)298-8165
