sen. ophelia ford's summer 2012 legislative update

7/31/2019 Sen. Ophelia Ford's Summer 2012 Legislative Update

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Greetings,

As the second half of the 107th General Assembly came to a close, I beganputting together this Legislative Update to provide you with an overview ofthe state budget legislation I sponsored, cosponsored or supported andother significant new laws. This years session was shorter than usual, andsome important bills may not have received the attention they deserved.Memphis and Shelby County have undergone some changes, and I wantyou to know exactly what they mean for you and your family.

Thankfully, we have recovered faster than most states from the nationalrecession, and many people throughout Tennessee are once again finding

jobs and providing for their families. Our recovery helped us avoid cuts tovital childrens and family services, while providing tax relief for allTennesseans by reducing the food tax. I am hopeful that in the years tocome, we will cut the food tax more significantly, so that our Tennesseefamilies are able to afford healthy, nutritious food for their children.

Some of you may be receiving this newsletter for the first time, thanks tothe federally required redistricting process we underwent at the beginningof this year. If that is the case, I am honored to be your new State Senator!Regardless of whether you are a new or current constituent, if you have anyquestions, comments or concerns, please dont hesitate to call. As always,it is my greatest pleasure to serve my constituents in District 29 and theState of Tennessee.

Sincerely,

Senator Ophelia Ford

SENATOROPHELIAFORD

SUMMER 2012

Legislative Update

THE BUDGET IN REVIEW

The state budget for 2012-13 stands at $31.5 billion, which is expected to be $627 million less than our previous yearsspending. We were able to protect key services for children, families and the disabled, while fully funding our schoolsand adding $50 million to our reserves. We also were able to fund several building projects at our states colleges anduniversities, including $13 million for the University of Memphis.

SHELBY COUNTY PRIORITIES

The budget allocates $25 million to the Memphis Regional Megasite, which will help Memphis attract more jobs andcontinue to be one of the largest hiring cities in the United States. We also provided $150,000 to pay for expenses oTennessee patients and their families traveling to and from to St. Jude Research Hospital, so that families of the childrenbeing treated can have everything they need in a difficult time. Other important funds include $125,000 for theMemphis Oral School for the Deaf, $79,000 for the Memphis Second Harvest Food Bank, and $100,000 for the ShelbyCounty Drug Court.

REDISTRICTING

Although I am not up for re-election until 2014, redistricting will have an affect on many voters in the state of Tennesseewho may have a new district or voting location. You can confirm your voting location by going to Shelbyvote.com andclicking on Where to Vote. You can also call the Shelby County Election Commission at (901) 222-1200 and select

option 1.


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A Highlight Of Bills Sponsored, Cosponsored OrSupported That May Interest You The Most

SB2126 FIREWORKS I sponsored a bill that would have allowed not only Shelby County, but most of Tennessees 9counties, to sell commercial fireworks. My bill would have taken authority from the state and vested it in the hands of tCounty Commission. We will make another effort next year.

SB3251 FEDEX FAMILY HOUSE Authorizes FedExFamilyHouse new specialty license plate; allocates 50 percent of fun

from sale of license plates to FedExFamilyHouse.

SB3255 ELECTIONS Authorizes an identification card from certain transit authorities to be used as valid identificatiwhen voting.

SB3257 CHILD SUPPORT Requires the department of human services and juvenile court or district attorney general undertake a public awareness campaign in counties implementing a responsible teen parent pilot project.

SB3260 BLUES TRAIL Designates a segment of State Route 14 beginning at the Tennessee-Mississippi border Jackson Avenue in Memphis as the "Blues Trail."

SB2547 SCHOOLS Requires the achievement school district to adopt an appropriate dress code for its professionemployees.

SB3558 STUDENTS Requires LEA to prohibit students from wearing on school grounds during the school day clothithat exposes underwear or body parts in an indecent manner that disrupts the learning environment. This bill is commonknown as the Saggy Pants Bill.

SB3714 JUDICIAL REFORM Requires justices of the Tennessee Supreme Court to be popularly elected by voters designated Supreme Court districts, to be created by the General Assembly. Also requires intermediate appellate couto be popularly elected by voters.

SB3752 NEIGHBORHOODS Requires a public notice and a hearing before an establishment that may be detrimental the neighborhood can begin operations.

SB3807 MILLINGTON Subject to local approval, rewrites the charter to create the position of city manager, to

appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the board of Mayor and Aldermen. Also makes the Mayor a part-time MayEffective May 4, 2012. If you have questions or concerns, contact Mayor Linda Carter at 901-872-2211.

SJR0635 JUDICIAL REFORM Amends Article VI, Section 3 of the State Constitution to provide for the election of justicof the Tennessee Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals from districts to established by the General Assembly.

SB2179 ANIMAL CRUELTY Creates Class A misdemeanor offenses of knowingly maiming or harming a service dorecklessly maiming or hurting a service dog and the Class C misdemeanor of interfering with a service dog in thperformance of its duties.

SB2369 HUMAN TRAFFICKING Creates civil right of action for victims of human trafficking offenses.

SB2863 VETERANS Authorizes property tax relief for spouses of veterans whose deaths resulted from being deployin support of peace operations.

SB884 MILITARY FAMILIES Authorizes spouses of military members who leave employment due to military reassignmeto qualify for unemployment benefits.

SB2251 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Establishes increased punishment for second and subsequent convictions for domesassault.

SB2892 CHILD ABUSE Requires that if a report of child abuses alleges physical abuse, the child be referred to a chadvocacy center or that the investigation be conducted by a child protective services investigator who is adequately trainin investigating physical abuse reports.


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Senator Ford and Senate Clerk Russell Humphrey discuss legislation.

During the legislative session, I sponsored 45budget amendments that would have providedfunding for various organizations, health andeducation efforts, and economic grants in thedistrict. However, due to budget constraints,they did not pass out of the Senate Finance,Ways and Means Committee during the 2012legislative session. Nevertheless, as yourSenator, I am continually fighting for fundingand opportunities for Shelby County.

Memphis and Shelby County did receive severalgrants and funds for resources and organizations across the state,including $25 million for the Memphis Regional Megasite. This site willbring jobs to our area through suppliers and related businesses, whichwill keep Memphis as one of the top cities in the country for job growth.

I also helped secure $800,000 for the HBCU Wellness Project, astatewide health initiative that works at private, historically blackcolleges like Lemoyne-Owen to decrease chronic health disease risks inour communities. I also secured $45,000 to help fund the Africa in AprilCultural Awareness Festival, which celebrates the rich contributions of

African nations to our citys diverse, multicultural fabric.

I continue to work toward reforming our judicial system in order to provide fair, secure elections for our statewide judgeTwo constitutional amendments regarding our judicial system passed during this legislative session, but neither will provithe kind of comprehensive reform that I have designed. My plan would create five districts, based on metropolitan arefor the direct election of Tennessee Supreme Court judges every eight years. My amendment would also call for the direelection of appellate court judges in six districts across the state.

Finally, roadwork will continue in Shelby County and Memphis through the Department of Transportation, which has projects in the county it will be working on throughout the next fiscal year. These projects include construction, paving aengineering plans to keep traffic in Memphis and Shelby County running smoothly into the future.


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How Senator Ophelia Ford Is Working For You

SENATOR OPHELIA FORDSenatorial District 29

Nashville Address318 War Memorial BuildingNashville, TN 37243(615) 741-17671-800-449-8366, ext. [email protected]://capitol.tn.gov

Memphis Address54 N. Arcadian Cir., Ste. 102Memphis, TN 38103(901) 575-2321

Putting Tennesseans Back To Work

Opposed proposed cuts to our lottery scholarships that wohave reduced HOPE scholarships for 5,257 Tennesstudents, including a disproportionate number of Univerof Memphis and African American students.

Worked to restore $125,000 in funding for programs aoperational expenses at the Memphis Oral School for the Dafter the funds initially faced cuts in budget talks.

Helped secure $13 million in funding for the UniversityMemphis, including funds for the universitys new camputhe former Lambuth University.

Fighting For Our Schools

Renewed $150,000 grant to pay the expenses of patients atheir families who are Tennessee citizens and residents whtraveling to and from St. Jude Hospital.

Secured $800,000 for the HBCU Wellness Project tpromotes healthy choices and fights chronic diseasescommunities surrounding historically black colleges auniversities.

Restored $1.6 million for the Family Support Program tprovides assistance to developmentally disabled individuwho do not qualify for intellectual disabilities services.

Protecting Those In Need

Helped pass unemployment benefits for Tennessee military spouses who haveto leave their jobs due to military orders, thereby completing a key aspect ofFirst Lady Obamas plan to support military families.

Supported civil service reform that reinstated preference for veterans in statehiring, so our veterans can get back to work when they return home.

Here is more legislation I sponsored, co-sponsored or supported. As always, I worked together with members of the Senand members of the House of Representatives to accomplish the following on behalf of Tennesseans.

LegislativeAssistant

DEREK HUMMEL

Senate DemocraticCaucus Press Secreta

COLBY SLEDGE

Supporting Our Military Families

STAFF

Supported the Tennessee Works Act, which helps Tennesseans get off unemployment and back into the workplace, so tcan gain valuable job experience and have an increased chance of once again obtaining a full-time job.

Supported $25 million for the Memphis Regional Megasite, which will bring businesses and jobs to Memphis and SheCounty as opportunities grow throughout West Tennessee.

RECENT UPDATESHave You Been Purged From

The Voter Rolls?

Guided Tours

Due to unknown errors, an internal investigation has beenlaunched and an external investigation has been requestedof the Shelby County Election Commission. Allegationshave been made that voters and voter histories have beenor will be purged from the voter rolls. There are only fourreasons that a registered voter may be lawfully purgedfrom voter rolls: if the voter requests it; if the voter movesoutside the county; if the voter is convicted of a felony; or

if the voter passes away. If you have reason to believe youhave been unlawfully purged, please call (901) 222-1200and selection option 5.

Shortly after concluding the legislative session on May 1,the Capitol was closed for much needed repairs andrenovations. Due to the renovations, the Capitol willremain closed until January 2013. I welcome anyone whois interested in a tour of the Capitol after the reopening tocontact my office, and we will schedule you a free tour.Tours are available for both individuals and large groups.

COMMITTEESSenate General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Senate Judiciary

SUBCOMMITTEESNCSL Health Standing Committee Child Fatality Prevention Team

sen. ophelia ford's summer 2012 legislative update

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