Roane Alliance Hosts Annual Legislative Breakfast
Monday January 09, 2012
Kingston, TN - The Roane Alliance and the Roane County Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee hosted their annual legislative breakfast this morning for Chamber and Alliance board members and supporters to discuss issues with State Senator Ken Yager and State Representative Julia Hurley.
The popular event provides a chance for Alliance and Chamber board members and supporters to have an informal discussion with the legislative delegation as they head off to begin their legislative session in Nashville. The Chamber's 2012 Legislative Agenda was also distributed and discussed at the breakfast.
Prepared by the Chamber's Government Relations Committee and approved by the full Chamber board, the agenda provides recommendations on those issues of most importance to the Roane County Chamber membership, encouraging support for the initiatives outlined in the areas of economic development and tourism, transportation and infrastructure and education.
Buddy Bowers, chair of the Government Relations Committee and sponsor of the Cracker Barrel breakfast, thanked the legislators for coming and said that this year, the agenda had been prioritized to make it clear what issues were of most importance.
One of the most controversial issues on the agenda and discussed at today's event was the proposed redistricting that would carve out a portion of Rockwood in the house district. The Chamber took a strong position several weeks ago against any redistricting that would split Roane County in all Federal Congressional and State Senate and House legislative districts. Rep. Hurley said she had communicated that opposition to the redistricting committee and would continue to do so.
Also discussed was education funding and budget issues, as well as bills initiated by both: such as Yager's Community College Act and Hurley's Landlord bill. Road improvements, expected budget cuts in Nashville and questions about pending legislation were all sources of discussion in the lively question and answer session.
Leslie Henderson, President/CEO, The Roane Alliance emphasized that full funding for education was one of the most important items in the Chamber's legislative agenda.
Additionally, other initiatives in the agenda include:
- Completion of the widening of Highway 70;
- Revision of state laws to allow financial incentives for retail businesses.
For the complete Legislative Agenda visit www.roanealliance.org/chamber/committees.html
The Roane Alliance is Roane County's economic development organization and consists of both public and private organizations, including the Roane County Chamber of Commerce, the Roane County Industrial Development Board and the Roane County Visitors Bureau.
